Portrait of Kenau Simonsdr Hasselaer

oil on panel, c. 1590–1609

Kenau Hasselaer here adopts an active stance, with her hands on weapons. She defended the city of Haarlem against the Spanish in the 16th century and became a national hero. Although her name later took on a negative connotation, in her own time she was hailed as a Manninne or ‘a very masculine woman.’ Does her pose refer to her military career, or to this supposed masculinity?

  • Artwork typepainting
  • Object numberSK-A-502
  • Dimensionsheight 34.8 cm x width 26.5 cm, height 43.8 cm x width 34 cm x depth 2.3 cm