Ode to Maria van OosterwijckWorld famous during her lifetime
Portrait of Maria van Oosterwijck by Wallerant Vaillant, 1671, Rijksmuseum Amsterdam Collection
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At last, the Rijksmuseum has acquired a painting by Maria van Oosterwijck (1630-1693). It was about time! It is a so-called “vanitas,” a still life with objects that refer to the brevity of life: a skull, flowers and fruit (don't last long!), a watch, a lazarus valve, and so on.
Maria lived and worked in Amsterdam and was world famous during her lifetime. Kings and emperors lined up for her flower still lifes. The high sums she negotiated for her paintings - people paid more for them than for paintings by Rembrandt - enabled her to live on Keizersgracht and rent a studio on Bloemgracht. Her wealth also allowed her to show her social commitment. For example, in 1675 and 1677, she stood surety for the ransom for sailors taken hostage in Algiers from Maassluis, where her brother was mayor.
Around 1664, the six years younger Geertje Pieters came to live with Maria as domestic help. In addition to her household duties, she assisted Maria in “rubbing” pigments. Extraordinary for that time, Geertje received drawing and painting lessons from Maria so that, should Maria die unexpectedly, Geertje would be able to support herself.
“Were Maria and Geertje, both of whom remained unmarried, dating?”
That Geertje was more than a “maid” is also evidenced by the fact that the ladies visited Constantijn Huygens in Voorburg together. Huygens even dedicated a short poem to Geertje's painting skills, and a longer poem to both women.
Did Maria and Geertje, both of whom remained unmarried, have something in common? As with Betje Wolff and Aagje Deken, there is no “proof” and it is best not to speculate. So I don't, but I would secretly like to.
The vanitas painting of Mary hangs in the Rijksmuseum's Gallery of Honor. Go look at it and marvel at the many beautifully painted details. Then you can immediately visit Mary herself: the portrait of her painted by Wallerant Vaillant also hangs there.
Period
1630– 1693
About
Ode by Maaike Dirkx to Maria van Oosterwijck.
An independent, unmarried artist at a time when that was highly exceptional for women.
Less well known today, but the fact that a woman in the seventeenth century could rise to the top of painting in her genre, still life, and thus provide for her own livelihood, is special and thus she deserves an ode.
Maria van Oosterwijck
Maria van Oosterwijck, also Oosterwyck, (Nootdorp, August 20, 1630 - Uitdam, November 12, 1693) was a Dutch painter of the Baroque period who specialized in detailed still lifes.