Hieronymus van Beverningk 1670

Jan de Baen painted this portrait of Hieronymus van Beverningk sometime in the later 17th century. Van Beverningk was an important figure in Dutch politics, and here, he’s presented in a manner befitting his status. Consider what it meant to be a man in his position during the Dutch Golden Age. His clothing, the confident pose, and the symbols of his accomplishments all speak to his identity as a powerful, educated, and wealthy man. The painting also hints at the complex relationship between the Netherlands and the world beyond Europe. The wealth that allowed Van Beverningk to commission this painting came, in part, from global trade and colonial ventures. This brings forth questions about the ethics of wealth and power. As you stand here, perhaps you too are implicated in this long history of power, wealth, and representation.