Andries Stilte as a Standard Bearer by Johannes Verspronck

Portrait of a Man by Johannes Verspronck

Johannes Cornelisz. Verspronck, Portrait of a Man, 1641, Rijksmuseum Twenthe, Enschede

Portrait of a Woman by Johannes Verspronck

Johannes Cornelisz. Verspronck, Portrait of a Woman, 1640, Rijksmuseum Twenthe, Enschede

The gesture also appeared in marriage portraits of the period, signifying the husband’s role as leader and protector of the family. His active role contrasts with his wife’s more passive one.