PORTRAIT OF CATHARINA MULDER (MUSSEL KATE), C. 1785
Paper (facsimile), Huis Van Gijn Collection, Atlas Van Gijn
Women in the eighteenth century often played an important role in political conflicts. This is a print about the conflict between the Patriots and the Orangists. The woman in the foreground is Catharina Mulder (1723-1798) of Rotterdam. She had a job inspecting mussels, which is why she was popularly known as Mussel Kate. Mulder was opposed to the Patriots and supported the prince of Orange. In 1784 she participated in the street riots against the regents. She was arrested but not convicted and became a symbol of support for the house of Orange.