A portrait can be more than just the likeness of a person. In the 17th century, portraits were meant to convey a sitter’s status and wealth, values and attitudes, as well as taste and character.
Could this young girl of four already be engaged? Her ring, the little statue (symbol of fertility), the carnations, the fan and the peacock (symbol of Juno, goddess of child- birth) all refer to love and marriage.
Isaak Massa ( 1586–1643) was a self-made businessman, diplomat, map-maker and author from the Netherlands. Massa commissioned three portraits from Frans Hals, who was a close friend. One of these portraits included Massa’s new wife, Beatrix van der Laen.
