Portret van Kenau Simonsdochter Hasselaer 1740 - 1774

This is Pieter Anthony Wakkerdak's print of Kenau Simonsdochter Hasselaer. Here, we see Kenau, a woman who defended Haarlem against the Spanish, surrounded by weaponry, symbols of war and strength. These weapons, more than mere tools, speak to a deeper narrative of defiance. The sword, a constant symbol of power, evokes images of ancient heroes. Think of Judith with the head of Holofernes. Kenau’s story, like Judith’s, captures a moment when traditional roles are overturned. The very act of depicting a woman with such instruments of war challenges our expectations. This image serves as a powerful testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the enduring legacy of those who dare to defy convention. It is a memory frozen in time, resurrected and reinterpreted.