Portret van Aletta Pancras c. 1670

Gesina ter Borch rendered this portrait of Aletta Pancras with watercolor and graphite. The pearls adorning Aletta’s neck and ears, symbols of purity and wealth, immediately draw our eye. The pearl, a recurring motif in art history, evolves in meaning across centuries. In Renaissance painting, we often see pearls associated with depictions of the Virgin Mary, symbolizing her purity. Yet, observe how, as time progresses, these once sacred symbols become markers of worldly status and luxury. The gesture of Aletta holding her dress taps into our collective memory and echoes through art history. Consider the classical sculptures of draped figures; this motif resurfaces in various forms—the folds of fabric, the way it is held—conveying a sense of modesty. This gesture, laden with historical weight, engages us on a deeper level, stirring subconscious associations tied to status, poise, and timeless beauty.