Portretten van Adriaan Brouwer, Jurriaen Ovens en Cornelis Bega 1708 - 1780

Jacob Houbraken made this watercolor and graphite drawing, "Portretten van Adriaan Brouwer, Jurriaen Ovens en Cornelis Bega", sometime between 1698 and 1780. It’s a study of three artists whose work helped to define the Dutch Golden Age of painting. Houbraken’s work reflects the social and cultural dynamics of the art world. The portraits within portraits offer a layered perspective on artistic legacy and identity. Brouwer, Ovens, and Bega each navigated the art world and depicted everyday life through their own lens. Brouwer’s painting in particular, often captured the lives of working-class people. Look closely at the way Houbraken renders each artist. Brouwer is shown with a monkey, an exotic pet and symbol of wealth, indicative of the changing social status of artists at the time. Through his choices, Houbraken creates a conversation about how artists see themselves, and how they are seen by society. This drawing invites us to consider the personal and historical narratives that shape artistic identity.