Met z’n allen | Lisa Ostermann

The series “Meisje Loos” (Girl Missing) is named after the Dutch folk song “Daar was laatst een meisje loos,” also known as a children’s song in the 20th century. It reflects a common practice in the 17th and 18th centuries where women disguised as men to join ships or the army. In archives, I found over ninety documented cases of women living as men, consigned to the shadows of history.

The enduring sailor stereotype inspires my art, influenced by the Old Dutch Masters’ paintings, especially the 17th-century admirals’ attire. I aim to portray these women defying societal norms. Author Marjolijn van Heemstra notes, “Aisha portrays the women not as impoverished sailors but as admirals if time favored them.” In my work, I strive to give these women the recognition they deserve, spanning centuries.