Portret van Johan van der Does 1749 - 1759

Jacob Houbraken made this print of Johan van der Does. This portrait, made in the Netherlands, showcases the commander in Leiden during the siege, capturing the essence of Dutch military leadership. The visual codes of armor and determined gaze, coupled with the inscription below, evoke a sense of historical authority and the values of the Dutch Republic. During the 17th and 18th centuries, the Dutch Republic was a major commercial and maritime power, with its art often reflecting the social and political values of the time. Houbraken, as an engraver, played a key role in disseminating images of important figures, contributing to the construction of national identity. The Rijksmuseum, as an institution, holds a rich collection of such portraits, affirming the importance of these figures in Dutch history. Understanding the social conditions that shaped this artwork requires consulting historical archives and scholarly research, allowing us to appreciate the deeper meanings embedded in this portrait.