Gerrit Sichterman (1688-1730). Quartermaster-General of the Cavalry, Colonel of the Oranje-Groningen Infantry Regiment, Commandant of Grave c. 1725

Cornelis Troost painted this oil on panel portrait of Gerrit Sichterman in the Netherlands in the first half of the 18th century. The image presents Sichterman, a high-ranking military man, complete with powdered wig, tricorn hat, breastplate, and commanding baton. But beyond its obvious function as a record of status, the portrait tells us something more about the role of the military in Dutch society at this time. Sichterman wasn't just any officer. He was Commandant of Grave, a strategically vital town. Studying the historical context helps us to understand the importance of the military class and the role that art played in upholding its image. We might look at military records, genealogical sources, and other portraits from the period to understand how this image worked within the broader culture of the Dutch Republic. The visual codes and cultural references are all clues to a particular moment in Dutch history and the institutions that shaped it.