2 march – 7 NOVEMBER 2021
More than one and a half centuries ago, around 1868, Catholic women are on their way to church. Coming from the Oudezijds Voorburgwal, they near the Heintje Hoeksteeg. Once arrived, there are two ways to enter the former ‘hidden’ or house church ‘t Hert. There is a narrow door at the side of the canal house that leads to the church in the attic. To the right, there is a newer, wider door. The women are dressed according to the latest fashion. A small difference is noticeable: the clothes of the women at the left door seem simpler than those of the woman and her daughter who are on their way to the right door.
A unique selection of 19th century costumes from the collection of the Rijksmuseum can be seen in the Historic House. The collection tells the tale of new shapes, techniques, and materials which reflect the taste of townsfolk in the 19th century. The rich materials, hovever, show it is the fashion of women and children from higher social classes — who could well have lived here or could have gone to church on the upper floors.
