In the 1960s, when researchers lifted the Vasa, a 17th-century Swedish warship that sank in Stockholm harbor on its maiden voyage, they found about 20 skeletons. Scientists determined that one of these skeletons, named G, was a man they named Gustav.

Earlier this year, genetic analysis determined that G was female, not male. Now, a new reconstruction of G, whose new nickname is Gertrude, shows her likeness before the deadly shipwreck of 1628.

Oskar Nilsson, the Swedish forensic scientist who created the reconstruction, said that “he was between 25 and 30 years old when he died, his eyes were blue, his hair was blond, and his skin was pale,” according to the new genetic analysis.

Nilsson did a re-enactment of Gustav in 2006 and was surprised to learn that G was female, but was happy to help break the record with a new reconstruction for the Vasa Museum in Stockholm.

The gender of the woman indicates that she is married. “We know from written sources that only married women and married men were allowed to ride this first time,” Nilsson said.

Despite her youth, Gertrude must have had a difficult life; Analysis of the skeleton on his back shows that he has repeatedly lifted heavy objects. “So he’s only 25-30 years old and his face looks like he’s worked hard,” she said.

That’s why Nilsson created her face to show a woman marked by hard work but aware of the tragic event that marked her end.

Nilsson teamed up with Anna Silverwolf, a textile expert at the Vasa Museum, to dress the reconstruction in a dark gray jacket and hat, as some of these pieces were found near her remains. Microscopic analysis revealed that the hat was bright red. “The original design was striking: a very tall hat, similar to the traditional holiday dress of Swedish peasants,” Nilsson said.

Gertrude’s solemnity “increased even more when Anna and I put a bright red tall hat on Gertrude’s head.” “I leave that to all museum visitors,” Nilsson said of what Gertrude thinks about this reconstruction.

Gertrude was on display at the Vasa Museum on June 28 and will be a major focus when the museum’s new Face-to-Face exhibition opens nearly a year later.