Portret van Maria Gysberta Verhoesen 1800 - 1802

Reinier Vinkeles made this print of Maria Gysberta Verhoesen using etching and engraving. Here we see a woman set against a dark background, who’s headwear and clothing denote status, and the artistic technique reinforces this. Engraving and etching were refined in the Netherlands during the 17th century and by the late 18th, when this was made, printmaking had become embedded within Dutch society. It was a powerful tool for disseminating information, fashion and political ideas. The art market in the Netherlands was more open than in other countries, and here printmaking became an institution in itself. Studying the print collections held in institutions like the Rijksmuseum allows us to learn about the fashion, customs and politics of the time, broadening our understanding of Dutch social history.