Willem Jacob Verkouteren (1779-1861), in het uniform van de Garde d'Honneur van Delft 1800 - 1813

Leonardus Temminck painted this miniature portrait of Willem Jacob Verkouteren in the uniform of the Delft Guard of Honour, likely around the first decade of the 19th century. These miniature portraits were very popular during the 18th and 19th centuries, especially amongst the middle classes. More affordable than larger oil paintings, they served as sentimental keepsakes, often exchanged between family members or lovers. The fashion for military uniforms reflects the influence of the Napoleonic Empire at that time, a period when many European countries were either allied with or occupied by France. The Delft Guard of Honour itself presents an interesting case study in social history. Research into local archives and historical records might reveal the specific social and political context in which it was formed, its role in the community, and the social status of its members. These contextual factors are essential for a deeper understanding of the artwork's historical significance.