Portrait of Inspector-General A.F. Goudriaan 1829

Izaak Schouman painted this portrait of Inspector-General A.F. Goudriaan, in the Netherlands, using oil on canvas. The portrait seems to be very much a product of its time, reflecting the social values and hierarchies of Dutch society. Schouman has chosen to depict his subject in formal attire, complete with medals and decorations, and with a hat at hand, signaling Goudriaan's status and authority within the Dutch state. This imagery speaks to the importance of social rank and the desire to project a sense of decorum. The institution of state is central to this image. As art historians, we can look at the circumstances of its creation, and the cultural codes it employs. By analyzing these aspects, we can gain a deeper understanding of the painting's significance and its relationship to the society that produced it. Researching the state institutions of the Netherlands in this period will offer some helpful context.