Portrait of an Officer 1645

Ferdinand Bol, a Dutch artist, made this etching titled "Portrait of an Officer," using a metal plate to transfer the image onto paper. This portrait embodies the visual codes of status in the Dutch Golden Age. Consider the man's elaborate feathered hat, his carefully curled hair, and the suggestion of expensive fabric in his clothing. These details speak to the subject's wealth and position within Dutch society. This portrait also evokes the military prowess that defined the period. Bol, who trained in Rembrandt’s studio, was part of a growing art market in the Netherlands in the 17th Century, driven by the wealth of its merchant class. Patrons now commissioned portraits to mirror their achievements and social standing. To fully understand this print, we need to consider its historical context. The tools of the social historian, such as archival records, period literature, and studies of costume, are key to unlocking the meanings embedded within the work.