Portret van admiraal Cornelis Tromp 1657 - 1707

Hendrik Bary's engraving presents Admiral Cornelis Tromp amidst symbols of maritime power. Dominating the foreground are cannons, emblems of Dutch naval strength and dominion over the seas. The naval battle raging in the background reinforces this image of power and military success, capturing the Admiral at the height of his power. Consider how triumphal arches and military portraiture throughout history have employed similar motifs to glorify military leaders. We see echoes of Roman generals framed by conquered arms and naval heroes posed with their ships in the distance. Here, Tromp’s stance, with his hand resting confidently on the cannon, recalls classical statuary of emperors and gods, adapted to celebrate Dutch mercantile and martial prowess. The cannons evoke a primitive, almost visceral reaction, a subconscious association with power, dominance, and the primal urge to control territory. The image becomes a potent symbol, resonating with historical precedents while forging a new, distinctly Dutch, expression of authority and naval supremacy.