Abraham Casteleyn and his Wife, Margarieta van Bancken by Jan de Bray
Jan de Bray's 1663 painting, "Abraham Casteleyn and his Wife, Margarieta van Bancken," at the Rijksmuseum, was once a puzzle. For years, the identities of the sitters were unknown, leading to several mistaken assumptions, partly due to a prominent globe in the painting.
But clues within the artwork and historical research eventually confirmed the truth. Look closely at the open book in Casteleyn's hand and the bust of Laurens Janszoon Coster behind them, these details hint at their connection to the world of printing. The couple owned the printing house "In de Blije Druck" and even published Haarlem's first newspaper.
The true identities were finally confirmed by a drawing of Abraham Casteleyn in the North Holland Archives, corroborating the visual evidence. Even De Bray's brother worked as an engraver for the Casteleyn firm, deepening the connection.
It's a wonderful example of how paintings can hold hidden stories, waiting for a careful eye to uncover them.
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Transcript
Meet a couple from Holland's Golden Age. For centuries, their identities were a mystery. Even the painter's brother worked with them. This bust celebrates printing pioneer Laurens Janszoon Coster. They were Abraham Casteleyn and Margarieta van Bancken. They published Haarlem's first newspaper. And the painter signed his work right here.