Portret van Hooft aan een monument, 1787 1787

This print, made in 1787 by an anonymous artist, commemorates the Dutch poet and historian Pieter Corneliszoon Hooft. We see Hooft’s portrait set within a classical monument. Monuments such as this were a common artistic trope in the late 18th century, particularly for celebrating intellectual figures. The Netherlands had a rich tradition of honoring its cultural heroes and this print speaks to the growing sense of national identity at the time. Here, classical imagery blends with Dutch civic pride. Notice the figure of Fame announcing Hooft’s legacy, or the man in contemporary dress paying his respects. Even the dog at the monument's base suggests fidelity and remembrance. As art historians, we look to sources like contemporary newspapers, letters, and other prints to understand how Hooft was perceived at the time, and how that perception was shaped by the social and political currents of the day. The meaning of this print emerges from its historical context.