Grafbord van Pieter van Dishoeck (1653-1701), directeur van Bengalen (1696-1701) after 1767

This Grafbord, or memorial shield, commemorates Pieter van Dishoeck, director of Bengal for the Dutch East India Company, who died in 1701. Though the artist is anonymous, the work’s imagery speaks volumes about the social structures of the Dutch Golden Age. Painted in the Netherlands, this diamond-shaped shield features van Dishoeck’s coat of arms. Coats of arms were a visual language that denoted family lineage, status, and achievement. The shield is flanked by stylized foliage and topped with a helmet, further emphasizing van Dishoeck's elevated position. The Latin inscriptions, "Obiit" (died) and the year of his death, underscore the shield's commemorative function. These memorial shields were often commissioned by wealthy families to hang in churches or family homes, serving as a constant reminder of their legacy. Researching the van Dishoeck family and the Dutch East India Company would offer invaluable insights into the economic and political forces that shaped the creation and meaning of this artwork. The Grafbord is a reminder that art is always embedded in a specific social and institutional context.