Portrait of Pieter de Carpentier, Governor-General of the Dutch East Indies 1623 - 1675

This is an anonymous portrait of Pieter de Carpentier, Governor-General of the Dutch East Indies, painted with oils. The composition is dominated by chiaroscuro effects, with a stark contrast between the dimly lit background and the figure. The subject is presented in a formal pose, and we see the detailed rendering of his face, collar, and the decorative elements of his attire. These are points of visual interest against the somber palette that evokes a mood of gravitas. The structural framework relies on a set of oppositions: light versus shadow, ornate versus plain, and the individual versus the space he occupies. The contrast challenges viewers to contemplate the sitter's presence. The arrangement is not merely decorative, but also an assertion of authority. The Governor-General's features are carefully constructed to communicate power and command.