Portret van Arnoldus Drakenborch 1738

This is Jacob Houbraken's print of Arnoldus Drakenborch, made around 1734 in the Netherlands. It presents us with more than just a likeness of Drakenborch, who was a professor of history and eloquence. The architectural framing of the portrait is noteworthy. It elevates Drakenborch to a position of civic importance, almost like a monument. And it’s no accident that the Latin inscription emphasizes his role as a father figure of Vechta, a town in Germany, and highlights his eloquence and service to his nation. Houbraken’s print is very much a product of the Dutch Enlightenment, with its emphasis on civic virtue and the celebration of intellectual life. To truly understand this image, we might look into the history of Dutch universities and the role that professors like Drakenborch played in shaping public discourse. What was the relationship between the university and the state? How did intellectuals see their role in society? These are just some of the questions that a social historian might ask when confronted with an image like this.