Portret van Jacob le Maire after 1616

This is Pieter Serwouters' engraving "Portret van Jacob le Maire," now held in the Rijksmuseum. The print presents le Maire, discoverer of the strait south of Tierra del Fuego, surrounded by emblems of his achievements and status. Notice how Serwouters used linear precision to describe the textures and contours of the sitter’s face, clothing, and the map he holds. Le Maire's gaze is level, his posture confident, yet the stark contrasts of light and shadow introduce a sense of unease. The crisp lines defining his features and attire also render the textures and shapes of the lace collar and the folds of his cloak. The composition uses the map as a structural device, which anchors the figure within a defined space, while the heraldic crest above adds a layer of symbolic depth. The map itself invites us to consider semiotic systems of cartography. It functions not only as a record of geographical discovery but also as a signifier of power and knowledge. The Latin inscription reinforces this, framing le Maire as a heroic figure who expanded the known world. The engraving is more than a portrait. It's an assertion of Dutch mercantile ambition and an early example of visual rhetoric employed to craft a narrative of exploration and dominance.