Oopjen
Wealth in the Dutch Republic
Oopjen, a citizen of Amsterdam, was a wealthy woman as is immediately apparent when you look at her portrait. It exudes wealth: wealth and prosperity that came in part from forced labour on sugar plantations. The painting does not divulge anything about what Oopjen knew about slavery. What do appearances say about what you as a person think and feel?
ACTIVITY
In the Rijksmuseum, you can add something underneath Oopjen’s skirts. What do you like to show off? What do you do to come across differently to people? You can answer this question literally, or craft your response in fabric.
FROM HOME
Mail us what you like to show off or how you try to come across differently to people. You can also send us photos showing how you like to strike a pose. These will be hung under Oopjen’s skirts in the Rijksmuseum.
Send it to: LAMN@rijksmuseum.nl