Herderin c. 1652

This watercolour and ink drawing called "Herderin" was made by Gesina ter Borch, a Dutch artist, sometime in the 17th century. Gesina ter Borch belonged to a well-to-do family from Zwolle, and her artistic talent was nurtured within the domestic sphere. Her sketchbooks are filled with depictions of family life, fashion, and, as we see here, imaginative scenes. The prominence of women artists like ter Borch in the Netherlands points to the shifting social dynamics and the increasing opportunities for women's education and artistic expression during this era. In this drawing, a young shepherdess is placed beside a poem. By combining word and image, ter Borch comments on art itself and the institutions that separate visual art from other forms of expression such as writing. To fully understand the context of this work, scholars consult not only art historical sources but also conduct research into the social and cultural conditions of the Dutch Golden Age. By examining personal letters, family records, and literary texts, a clearer understanding of Gesina ter Borch and her contribution to Dutch art is revealed.