Women’s short track skating in Leeuwarden – Jacob Ernst Marcus after Allert Jacobs van der Poort, 1805
€750
FIRST WOMEN’S SHORT TRACK SPEED SKATING RACE
“Luisterrijke Vrouwen Schaatschen Rijdparty” [glorious women’s skating party] etching with aquatint made in 1805 by Jacob Ernst Marcus (1774–1826) after a drawing by Allert Jacobs van der Poort (1771–1807), and published by P.H. Meijer in Amsterdam. Coloured by a later hand. Size (including text): 25 x 32 cm.
This scene depicts the very first women’s short track speed skating competition, held on the city canal of Leeuwarden on February 1 and 2, 1805.
The event caused some commotion, as many believed it was unladylike for women to participate in a skating competition. Moreover, like men at the time, the women competed wearing only their undergarments.
The race followed an elimination format: two skaters competed head-to-head on a track of about 140 meters. The competition lasted two days, with many participants skating home in the evening and returning the next morning to continue racing. More than 10,000 spectators attended the event.
Out of 130 participants, Janke Wybes and Trijntje Pieters Westra made it to the final. Trijntje was ultimately the fastest and won a golden “Oorijzer” (a traditional Dutch head ornament) worth 105 guilders. Janke took home a jet bead necklace with a gold clasp worth 31 guilders.
Price: Euro 750,-
