Cunera Olshoorn: Framed! & a happy Newyear!

Hello my friends,

A new year! Let us hope that in 2022 we finally get the better of that virus and life for all of us will turn back to normal. But let it also be a year with hopefully a lot of time for making miniatures!

For me the new year starts with the little Rascal Cunera. Diane Meyboom has finished and framed her stunning portrait after my last post on this miniature painting in september 2021.

But first, if you indulge me, a little history on Cunera. Because some of you asked me about her peculiar first name. And to be honest, I was intrigued as well. Where does it come from? This is what I found on the meaning of the name: 

The origin of this name is still today quite uncertain. The most probable theories include: 1) From the Ancient Germanic “*kôni / *kōnia” (bold, experienced (in battle), someone who understands, experienced, wise). 2) From the Ancient Germanic “*kunja / *cunja-” (noble, kinship, clan, dynasty).

Both possible meaning have a nice ring to it. Wise, bold, noble... But were her parents in the 1680's aware of this? Maybe but probably not. More likely was she named after saint Cunera of Rhenen or after a ancestor with the same name. 

Saint Cunera was the daughter of a british chieftain /King that sailed with saint Ursula to Cologne. Ursula was to marry the King there. All went south and most of the party were killed in a raid. Cunera was saved by King Radbod of the Frysians and bought to his household at the palace in Rhenen. This all takes place in the 4th century, so do not expect high gothic or renaissance palatial splendour.

Radbod grows fond of Cunera in the way that he trusts her to run the palace household in his absence. That evokes a dangerous jealousy in the queen and one night she strangles Cunera with the aid of a courtier using Cunera's own scarf. The murderers bury her body under the floor of the palace stables.

When the King returns from his trip no horse will go into the stable. (her first miracle) Her remains are quikly found under the floor and the royal murderes soon confesses her crime and is exciled away from court to die alone in the wilderness. Soon, after people claimed to be healed by Cunera from ailments to the throat or their cattle cured from diseases, she became a martyr saint. Her specialty is throat ailments (because of the throtling) and life stock diseases (because of the horses). 

But she was also a protector of sailors and ships! (because she sailed with Saint Ursula and survived the attack). That last patronage was struck of her record in the 19th century. When the Catholic Church 'cleaned up' the list of saint's and miracles.  But when Cunera was born in 1680, the family Olshoorn was in trade like many wealthy merchants families in the Dutch Republic. Cunera was still believed to keep sailors and ships safe in story seas. And the Olshoorn family were catholic, so that could very well be the reason for Cunera's unusual first name. Perhaps her parents hoped that the Saintly namesake would protect the families shipping interest a bit more than usual? Who knows. 

Whatever the story behind her first name may be, I love the excuisite miniature portrait Diane Meyboom has made after the original.

What was her life like? There is not much information available accept the dates of birth, marriage, birthing and death. We do know that she married a Van Ryckevorsel, another wealthy merchant family in Rotterdam. Cunera died at (only) 42 while giving birth to a baby girl. The baby was then named Cunera after her mother. 

The Rotterdam Museum also has a portrait of Cunera's daughter and namesake, together with her husband and 10 year old son. This portrait you can see in the picture above.  Somewhere in the future I will ask Diane to paint a miniature of that family portrait as well. But I will have to save up for that first. 

Well, that is it for now. I wish you all a happy and healthy 2022!! May it be a good year for all of you!

Huibrecht