Portret van een jonge man c. 1640 - 1680

This is a small portrait of a young man, etched by Cornelis van Caukercken in the Netherlands, sometime in the mid-17th century. At this time, the Dutch Republic was a major economic power, and portraiture was popular amongst the merchant classes. Although it is diminutive in scale, this print would have allowed the sitter to circulate his image among friends, family, and potential business partners. Note the fine lace collar and elaborate hairstyle, both signifiers of wealth and status. The curtain in the background adds a touch of theatricality, as does the oval frame. The inscription at the bottom identifies the sitter as ‘Ravenwey’, which may provide a valuable clue to his identity. To fully understand this image, historians might consult genealogical records, period inventories, and costume books. Through these resources, we can learn more about the lives and social networks of people like Ravenwey, and the cultural values of the Dutch Golden Age.