Born: 15 November 1631, Netherlands
Died: 16 April 1690
Country most active: Netherlands
Also known as: NA
The following is republished from the National Gallery of Art (US). This piece falls under under public domain, as copyright does not apply to “any work of the U.S. Government” where “a work prepared by an officer or employee of the U.S. Government as part of that person’s official duties” (See, 17 U.S.C. §§ 101, 105).
Gesina ter Borch lived in the shadow of her younger half-brother, Gerard. Their father, Gerard ter Borch the Elder, taught them both, but only Gerard the Younger became a professional artist. Gesina often appeared in her brother’s paintings. She modeled for many, including The Suitor’s Visit.
But Gesina also made art of her own. Almost all her works are drawings and watercolors—lively portraits of family, scenes of everyday life, and sophisticated allegories. In one self-portrait she shows herself in a luxurious lace and black satin dress with giant pearl earrings and holding a colorful fan in her hand.
We believe that Gesina and Gerard created the painting Moses ter Borch Holding a Kolf Stick together. It shows their youngest brother, Moses, bundled up in a tunic, long coat, and sheepskins, holding a kolf stick. Kolf was a popular game played in the Netherlands both on land, and in the winter, on frozen waterways. Kolf inspired modern golf. Gesina ter Borch’s only other known oil painting is also a collaboration with Gerard: a touching memorial portrait of Moses painted after he died while serving in the Dutch navy.
Like many amateur women artists, Gesina’s contributions have often been overlooked. Moses ter Borch Holding a Kolf Stick was long attributed to Aelbert Cuyp, a contemporary of the Ter Borchs. It was only recently determined that Gesina painted it.