PORTRAIT OF A YOUNG FALCONER, 1639 Mattheus Gilliszoon de Berch (died 1687). During the seventeenth century, the Dutch bourgeoisie experienced an important economic boom, which led them to imitate royalty and nobility, in order to achieve social prestige. Children are often represented as hunters, since hunting is an activity for the privileged classes. Falconers typically wear a short red dress, high boots, a plumed hat, and a leather glove to hold their prized falcons.