Portret van Joannes Michael Boon 1792

Jeremias Snoek created this print of Joannes Michael Boon, a doctor of philosophy, using an engraving technique. Boon's identity is clearly tied to his intellectual and religious roles. The inscription emphasizes his titles and affiliations, reflecting the 18th-century society where religious and academic status were central to one's public image. Prints like this one circulated widely, fixing and spreading particular representations of individuals. Here, Boon is presented as a figure of authority and intellect. The choice to depict him with very specific details that emphasize his social standing speaks to the period's values and the negotiation of identity through representation. As we consider this portrait, we might reflect on how identity is constructed and communicated through visual media, and how much has changed—or perhaps hasn't—regarding the performance of self through images.