The overarching fashion of the 1670s was inspired by many prominent women, usually the “current mistress of the king,” according to Doreen Yarwood in Fashion in the Western World, 1500-1990 (50-51). Queen Henrietta Maria (Fig. 1) was, in particular, known for her trend-setting fashionability. Judith’s dress seems to take inspiration from the earlier queen, who in van Dyck’s portrait is also shown wearing a very low-cut satin bodice, with exposed cleavage, and a gathered sleeve. By the 1670s, as Jack Cassin-Scott and Ruth M Green note in Costume and Fashion in Colour, 1550-1760, “the feminine gown had a close-fitting, boned bodice which, because of the longer waist, dipped to a deep point in the front, creating a slimmer look” (200). Van der Neer took this into account as he put Judith into a very slim-fitting gown. Giving her that very hour glass figure was a most likely a corset that is not visible in the painting.

A sketch by artist Sir Peter Lely (Fig. 2) displays the neckline typical of fashion around this time when necklines were cut low, almost straight across and slightly off the shoulder. As Phyllis Tortora and Keith Eubank note in Survey of Historic Costume: A History of Western Dress (2000), heavy satin fabrics were popular for formal dresses like that Judith wears(214). A formal satin gown seems visually appropriate for the occasion (if impractical in practice): What could look better than to seduce an enemy leader and claim his head than a dress that glistens like the sword she is holding? Also during this time, undergarments such as the chemise were worn and were visible on the edge of the neckline and sleeve (Tortora/Eubank 214). Sir Peter Lely’s portrait of the Duchess of Portsmouth (Fig. 3) and Van der Neer’s Judith both copy this trend.

Scarfs and shawls are very popular during this time period because of the exposed décolletage (Cassin-Scott 200).  Joan Carlile’s depiction of an unknown lady (Fig. 4) has a scarf wrapped around one arm with the rest floating behind her. Similarly, Van der Neer has a portion of a red scarf wrapped around Judith’s left hand with the majority behind her. Sleeves during this time “were set low on the shoulder, opening into a full puff that ended below the elbow” (Tortora/Marketti 259). The sleeves on Judith follow this style clearly exposing her forearms with her actual sleeve banded and overflowing. The sleeve seems similar to the leg-of-mutton sleeve popular during this century, but slightly deflated. Van der Neer kept it in the same realm as other women during the time, but by choosing to band it he creates an even bigger emphasis on the arm holding the sword.

Pearls are commonly seen on portrait of wealthy and prominent women in this time. Queen Mary II (Fig. 5) is shown wearing them around her neck and even attached to her gown; we see them also in the portraits of Queen Henrietta Maria (Fig. 1) and Joan Carlile’s painting (Fig. 4). Judith is also shown with pearls, but only at her wrist and in her elaborately dressed hair. Another commonality between Judith and the other ladies (Figs. 1-5) during this time period is her hairstyle. The popular hairstyle during this period was the chignon at the back of the head with a parted set of curls surrounding the front of the face. In addition to her hair, “from 1660 – 1700, some women placed plumpers, small balls of wax, in the cheeks to give the face a fashionable rounded face” (Tortora- Marketti 259). This is a trend van der Neer also seemed to adopt for the look of Judith and to give her a contemporary look.