Portret van Frederik Bernard s'Jacob 1906

Pieter Dupont made this portrait of Frederik Bernard s'Jacob using etching. The portrait commemorates s'Jacob's role as the mayor of Rotterdam, and it speaks to the civic pride and self-image of the Dutch merchant class. We can consider how this image creates meaning through visual codes, cultural references, and historical associations. The coat of arms beneath his portrait and the inscription 'Burgemeester van Rotterdam' all contribute to the construction of his authority as a public figure. The Netherlands, a maritime power with a strong mercantile tradition, had a unique social structure in which wealthy merchants often held significant political influence. Understanding an artwork like this requires that we dig into the records of its time, comparing it to other images of public figures, and researching the life and career of its subject.