Portretten van Jan Antonisz. van Ravesteyn en Adriaen Hanneman 1750

Pieter Tanjé made this print of Jan Antonisz. van Ravesteyn and Adriaen Hanneman sometime in the 18th century. It offers us a glimpse into the world of portraiture in the Dutch Golden Age, but also provides insight into the social role of artists and their images. The print celebrates two prominent portrait painters. Ravesteyn is shown standing by his easel, while Hanneman appears in a smaller portrait. An allegorical figure pulls back a curtain to reveal Ravesteyn. The inclusion of the coat of arms indicates the status of the sitter. Tanjé’s decision to depict these artists together speaks to their professional achievements and social standing within the artistic community of the time. In the Dutch Republic, art wasn't confined to the Church or Aristocracy. Instead, a thriving market emerged, driven by a growing middle class eager to display their wealth and status. Prints such as this one played a crucial role in popularizing art and making it accessible to a wider audience. To understand art, we need to investigate the social structures that shaped its production and reception. By consulting historical archives, auction records, and other primary sources, we can uncover the complex web of relationships that underpinned the art world of the Dutch Golden Age.