Cornelia Teding van Berkhout (1614-80), Wife of Maerten Harpertsz Tromp 1640 - 1653

Editor: So, this is Jan Lievens’ portrait of Cornelia Teding van Berkhout, painted sometime between 1640 and 1653, using oil paints. I'm really struck by the detail in her clothing, all the finery of that fur stole. What jumps out at you about it? Curator: It's a fascinating case study in Dutch Golden Age material culture. Note the labor invested – from the harvesting of the pigments, to the weaving of her gown. We see wealth on display, reflecting Dutch mercantile power. But think about who made this fur stole, where were these pearls sourced? It suggests exploitation and a vast network of trade. Editor: So, it's less about her as a person and more about... the things around her? Curator: Precisely. We often get caught up in admiring the artistry, the "genius" of the painter. But what about the anonymous workers who ground the pigments, wove the fabric? Their labor is crucial to the image’s very existence and often overlooked in traditional art historical narratives. Does this consideration affect your interpretation of her "portrait?" Editor: Definitely! It makes me consider what isn't being shown: the reality of the labour and resources used to create that impression of wealth. Curator: Think about it— the fur, the pearls, these are commodities representing power and prestige. Lievens isn’t just painting a woman, he's recording a moment in the history of capitalism and colonialism, even complicity. Editor: I never really thought about it that way before! Considering all the labor and the materials gives a whole new layer to the portrait. Thanks! Curator: It highlights the inherent complexities woven into every brushstroke. A fresh perspective for sure.