Portret van Kenau Simonsdochter Hasselaar

About this artwork

height 214 mm x width 145 mm

Art Historical Context

This steel engraving by Edouard Taurel captures the likeness of Kenau Simonsdochter Hasselaar, a legendary 16th-century Dutch heroine celebrated for her bravery during the Siege of Haarlem in 1572–1573. As a prominent citizen who organized the defense of her city against Spanish forces, Hasselaar became a symbol of resistance and female courage in Dutch history. Created between 1841 and 1879, the portrait reflects 19th-century interest in national heroes, transforming her story into a widely accessible image for public appreciation. Steel engraving, the medium employed here, offered remarkabl...

About the Artist

Edouard Taurel · 1824–1892

Charles Edouard Taurel (1824–1892) was a Dutch engraver and illustrator whose career exemplified the continued vitality of steel engraving and etching in the Netherlands during the nineteenth century. Working primarily in Amsterdam, Taurel specialized in portrait engravings of Dutch historical figures and topographical views of Amsterdam and its surroundings. His work served both commemorative fun...