Aletta Hanemans
Aletta Hanemans | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1606 |
| Died | 1653 |
| Occupation(s) | Brewer, businesswoman |
| Known for | Managing the Hoeffijser brewery; marriage portrait by Frans Hals |
Aletta Hanemans (1606–1653) was a notable Dutch brewer who managed the Hoeffijser brewery located in Haarlem. She is chiefly remembered for her marriage portrait painted by Frans Hals in 1624, coinciding with her wedding to brewer and magistrate Jacob Pietersz Olycan, who later served as Haarlem's mayor.
Biography
Details about Aletta’s early years remain scarce, but it is probable that her family maintained commercial connections with Jacob’s. After their marriage in Zwolle, the couple settled back in Haarlem by 1625, where Hals produced their companion portraits. Their brewery, known as the Hoeffijser, was positioned on the Donkere Spaarne, near the present-day Teylers Hofje. Jacob had taken over the brewery from his parents after completing his apprenticeship there. Upon Jacob’s death in 1638, Aletta entered into a second marriage with Haarlem brewer Nicolaes van Loo (1607–1641), who passed away soon after. Subsequently, she independently managed the brewery, initially receiving assistance from her late husband’s parents and later from her daughter Johanna Olijcan—who married brewer Mattheus Claesz Everszwijn and eventually assumed control of the enterprise.
Both of Aletta’s spouses were also subjects of portraits by Frans Hals:
Hals portrait (1625; restored 2007)
Aletta’s wedding portrait is a testament to her affluence and social standing, showcased through her intricate attire. She dons a gold-threaded bridal stomacher ("bruidsborst") embellished with symbolic floral motifs, layered over a striking purple and red skirt supported by a French-style fardegalijn—a circular framework designed to broaden the skirt and accentuate the stomacher. A substantial gold chain encircles her dress and threads through her black velvet-trimmed vlieger, a sleeveless outer garment open at the front featuring belt chain loops. Her sleeves are fastened by shoulder wings tipped with silver aglets; a starched linen collar arranged in a figure-eight shape frames her neckline. Her hair is covered by a lace-trimmed diadem cap, and she holds embroidered bridal gloves while wearing a wedding band on her right forefinger. The ensemble is completed with gold bracelets and lace cuffs at her wrists, underscoring her status as one of Hals’ most affluent models.
See also
- Jacob Pietersz Olycan, Aletta’s first husband
- The Banquet of the Officers of the St George Militia Company in 1627, depicting her first spouse
- The Officers of the St George Militia Company in 1639, featuring her second husband holding his spontoon pointed downward
- Pieter Jacobsz Olycan, her father-in-law
- Andries van Hoorn, brother-in-law
- List of paintings by Frans Hals
References
- Bianca M. Du Mortier, Costume in Frans Hals, featured in the Frans Hals exhibition catalog edited by Seymour Slive, with contributions from Pieter Biesboer et al., Prestel-Verlag & Mercatorfonds, 1989