Portret van Maarten Harpertszoon Tromp 1623 - 1686

Jonas Suyderhoef created this print of Maarten Harpertszoon Tromp sometime in the mid-17th century. Consider the visual codes at play here: the laurel wreath, the trumpets, and the inscription on the cartouche all speak to the status of the sitter. Maarten Tromp was a famous Dutch naval officer; the image promotes the idea of Dutch power on the seas. This was a time when the Dutch Republic was a major economic and military power, engaged in several naval wars with England. Prints such as this one were a means of promoting national pride and celebrating military heroes. The institutional history here involves the role of the Dutch state in promoting its own image and projecting power through visual media. Understanding such imagery requires research into Dutch history, naval warfare, and the role of prints in shaping public opinion during this period. By studying the social and institutional context of this artwork, we gain a deeper understanding of its meaning and significance.