Portret van Leonard Marius van der Goes in een studeervertrek 1652 - 1676

Theodor Matham made this print of Leonard Marius van der Goes at his desk sometime in the 17th century. Van der Goes was a theologian and professor in Cologne, but as the inscription tells us, at the time of his death in 1652, he was living in Amsterdam. Portraits in the Dutch Golden Age were more than simple likenesses; they were powerful statements of social standing. Here, we see a man of obvious importance. His opulent fur-lined robe and the tidy study lined with books signify wealth, education and status. A crucifix sits prominently on the desk, a statement of his religious conviction. Note how the light falls on the subject, illuminating the face and hands. While commissioned portraits often highlighted achievements and status, they also capture something of the sitter's inner life. What do you feel when you look at this man? The inscription lauds his service to the church and his scholarly work, but perhaps Matham also captured a hint of the man's mortality and personal grief.