Bidspirit auction | Dutch school, 17th century, 'Kenau

Dutch school, 17th century, 'Kenau Simonsdochter Hasselaer, 1573' - Dutch school, 17th century, 'Kenau Simonsdochter Hasselaer, 1573' Unsigned. This painting is based on an anonymous engraving by possibly Pieter Hendricksz. Schut (ca. 1618/19 - 1660/80). Kenau Hasselaer is known as a resistance heroine during the Spanish siege of Haarlem in 1573. As leader of a group of women, she helped defend the city and was described at the time as a ‘very manly woman, the bravest of them all who incessantly taunted the enemies’. This has earned her a place in the Dutch language: a bossy woman with gritted teeth is still called a ‘Kenau’. More importantly, however, her brave actions made her a legend and made her an example of a heroic woman in general. Oil on panel, 78 x 57,8 cm (frame: 90,5 x 70 cm).