Portret van Jan Antonides van der Linden 1667

Louis Cossin created this engraving of Jan Antonides van der Linden in the 17th century. The Dutch Golden Age, the period in which this portrait was made, saw the Netherlands emerge as a center for trade, science, and the arts. Van der Linden, a celebrated physician, embodies the era’s emphasis on learning and achievement. Encased within an oval frame, his intellectual prowess is made evident through the Latin inscription, signalling to us his status within a scholarly world that largely excluded women. His attire, while modest, speaks to his professional standing, a subtle nod to the rigid class structures of the time. Consider the gaze he directs at us: is it one of scholarly detachment, or is there an invitation for dialogue? Portraits like this one were instrumental in shaping perceptions of identity and status. This image prompts us to consider who gets remembered, and what values society chooses to immortalize.