THE MONOGRAMMIST WA (Flemish, active early Seventeenth Century)
The Birth Day
signed with initials WA conjoined in a monogram and dated 1629 in the wood paneling above the door in the upper right
oil on panel
22 ⅛ x 34 ⅛ inches (56.2 x 86.7 cm)
KEEPING THE TAX COLLECTOR AWAY!
Many countries have long traditions surrounding childbirth. From known conception till months after the child is born, there can be religious, cultural and family rituals that ‘must’ be performed in order to ensure the success and well-being of the child. In 17th century The Netherlands this was no different. There were all kinds of practices to cast off evil spirits, celebrate conception and protect the mother’s health as well as the child’s.
Let’s start with conception. In the 17th and 18th century, there was not extensive knowledge about childbirth. Saying openly that you were expecting a child was testing fate or challenging evil spirits which were normal concepts at that time. The Dutch developed a wonderfully novel approach to letting family and friends know the news. Upper-class families had a great ceremony called Hansje in de Kelder (Little Henry in the Basement). Friends and Family were invited over for a drink and a special silver cup was put on the table. The cup had a small compartment, referred to as the ‘basement’ (also representing the womb). When liquid, normally a liquor of sorts, was poured into the cup, it released a small silver baby figure (the little Henry). The cup was then passed around and while taking a drink, each guest would toast saying ‘Hansje in den kelder!’
The birth in wealthy Dutch and Flemish families tended to take place in what was called the kraamkamer (birthing room). Our beautiful, detailed panel depicts a very plush and well decorated one. Many rich fabrics embellish the furniture and the room is heavily adorned with art, a very strong indication of cultural refinement. We can assume this is a very well-to-do family indeed. The room is filled with the guests of the day. In the bed lies the new mother, still wearing the sweatband, which would have been applied during the birth. She is listening to the midwife (who was trained by an obstetrician and was de rigueur at any birth) seated at the foot of her bed. Nearby, the new-born is being presented by the dry nurse to presumably the grandmother. The older woman and servants wear the more traditional ruff collar, while the younger women display more fashionable flat collars and trendy coifs. Not to be outdone, the new father, who is about to see his newborn child, along with his companion, are equally fashionable.
Once the baby was born, mother and child deemed healthy and well, it is time to celebrate! As our panel depicts, the celebration is well underway. An important part of this is the drinking of kandeel. It was popular from the 17th century until the early 19th century and it is still drunk occasionally at births. Kandeel was a homebrewed liquor made of white wine, lemon, cloves, cinnamon sugar and lots of yolk. Wealthy families, as this one, would have a special kandeel serving set consisting of a carafe and engraved glasses. The maid in the center of the composition holds a tray with the kandeel carafe and a young girl is serving the group soikertjes, bread or pastries filled with moisjes, sugar-coated caraway seeds, or cinnamon sticks. Another plate filled with the same treats stands at the ready upon the cupboard. Given that sugar was such a delicacy, these must have been a real treat.
At this time, as we have mentioned, there was still much superstition and worry over the ‘evil spirits’ looming around childbirth. Folklore suggests that during labor evil spirits could take possession of a mother and child. To keep the demons at bay, often the door was locked or tied closed with an apron band during labor. After birth, it was used to signal the baby was sleeping and to reduce noise. In the 17th century the apron band had evolved into an elaborate piece of red silk and lace especially made for the occasion called a kraamkloppertje. If a white piece of paper was attached to it the baby was a girl, otherwise it was a boy. A kraamkloppertjse was tied onto the front door for up to eight weeks. Amazingly, during this time, the father was relieved from night shifts if he had any and no city-messenger, creditor or tax-collector was allowed to knock on the door - a modern day paternity leave!
In modern day The Netherlands, so many of these traditions are still alive. There is not as much celebration pre-baby, as is in the US. It all comes after the birth. Acquaintances tend to visit very quickly after birth (with in the first week or less!), and visitors are always served a traditional hard bread with a sugary sprinkle on it called beschuit met muisjes (rusk with small mice – a sugar coated aniseed). Johannes Vermeer’s wife Catherina is said to have given birth at least 15 times and he had (at his death) 11 children still alive! No wonder he didn’t generate a large oeuvre, how would he have time? But, on the bright side, he probably never paid any tax!
17 February, 2021