Album amicorum of Geertruydt van Engelsteedt

Geertruydt's noble descent is emphasized by the arms of her four grandparents. Depicted on the left: from her father's side Van Engelsteedt and N.N., depicted on the right: from her mother's side Van Harinxma and Van Mockema.

Geertruydt van Engelsteedt, daughter of Anna van Harinxma, opened her album in 1604 with the coats of arms of her parents and grandparents and the motto 'Gelooff vnd Eere'. Most of the people to whom she presented the booklet in the twelve years that followed were female members of the Frisian nobility and undoubtedly belonged to Geertruydt's immediate circle of friends and acquaintances. The contributors usually followed the example of the album owner and limited their contribution to name, coat of arms or coat of arms sign, motto and (by no means always) date. In three cases, the youth and marriageability of the album owner and contributor coloured the contribution in question.

Joest van Welvelde tried with a persuasive poem, but Geertruydt did not seem to be impressed. Another suitor came forward in the person of Frans van Jongema. In 1616 he had a gouache made showing Tobias crossing a river accompanied by the angel Raphael, and he provided it with a striking rhyme. However, the angel did not lead him to Geertruydt, but to Trijn van Ockinga, with whom he got married on 21 October 1621.

  • With this representation of Tobias and the angel Raphael, Frans van Jongema tried to win Geertruydt's heart.

Frans van Donia was more certain of his case. His gouache full of battle turmoil suggests a victory and indeed: on 27 September 1618 the marriage with Geertruydt was performed. After 1618 no new contributions were added to her album: apparently with her marriage she not only ended her youth but also her album.

Description of the album

Album amicorum van Geertruydt van Engelsteedt. 30 inscriptions. Dating of the binding: 1604-1612. Request number: 79 J 44