James Loudon (1824-1900). Gouverneur-generaal (1871-75) 1871 - 1885

Andries van den Berg painted this portrait of James Loudon, governor-general of the Dutch East Indies, using oil on canvas. The artist has lavished attention on the details of Loudon’s uniform. Note how the heavy gold embroidery on the jacket and sash contrasts with the smoothness of the white trousers. The medals, each likely struck from precious metals, catch the light, conveying Loudon’s status and authority. The sword, with its ornate hilt, is another symbol of power. Oil paint is the perfect medium for this kind of display. It allows for precise rendering of texture and detail, creating an illusion of depth and three-dimensionality. The artist would have used brushes of varying sizes to achieve this level of realism, building up layers of paint to create a rich and lifelike image. The material qualities of paint, combined with the skill of the artist, create a portrait that is not only visually impressive, but also a powerful statement about wealth, power, and colonial authority. It reminds us that even a seemingly straightforward portrait is the product of skilled labor and material choices, all within a specific social and political context.