De regenten van het Leprozenhuis, 1649 1769

Reinier Vinkeles produced this print in 1649, depicting the regents of the Lepers’ House in Amsterdam. It offers insight into the social structures and power dynamics of the time. The print portrays a group of men, the regents, in a formal setting. They are well-dressed and gathered around a table, with account books and what appears to be a money box. The setting and attire indicate their status and authority within the institution. It’s worth noting the presence of a younger figure, seemingly an assistant or ward of the house, set apart from the regents. The Dutch Republic of the 17th century was characterized by its burgeoning merchant class and civic institutions. Portraits of regents, like this one, were common ways for institutions to project an image of stability and good governance. If we want to explore the broader history of this image, it could be useful to look into the archives of charitable organizations in Amsterdam. This image provides a lens through which we can examine the role of charity, class, and governance in Dutch society.