Portret van een meisje met een 'valhoedje' 1778

Joseph Marinkel created this miniature portrait of a girl with a 'cap of fall' around 1765 using watercolor on ivory. The girl's unusual headwear prompts questions about childhood, health, and social status in the Netherlands during this period. Known as a ‘valhoedje’, this padded cap was designed to protect young children as they learned to walk. This portrait captures a tender moment in the girl's life, but it also speaks to the broader cultural context of eighteenth-century Dutch society. It suggests a level of care and concern for children's well-being that was becoming more prevalent among the middle and upper classes. The girl's pearl necklace and delicate clothing also indicate her family's social standing and their ability to afford such luxuries. The Rijksmuseum's records, along with period literature and costume studies, offer valuable insights into the significance of clothing and accessories in conveying social status and personal identity during this time.