Portrait of Wilhelmina Hillegonda Schuyt, Wife of Joachim Rendorp 1757 - 1768

Tibout Regters painted this portrait of Wilhelmina Hillegonda Schuyt, wife of Joachim Rendorp, during a time when the Dutch Republic was dominated by powerful merchant families. Wilhelmina's serene gaze and formal attire speak volumes about her position in society. The delicate lace, the precisely arranged hair, and the soft, almost ethereal lighting all contribute to a carefully constructed image of feminine respectability and status. What does it mean to be a woman of status? How much is authentic and how much performative? As we contemplate Wilhelmina's image, consider the economic structures that afforded her this life. This portrait serves as a reminder of the complex interplay between individual identity and the larger forces of history and class.