Portret van Frederik Dekkers 1694 - 1731

Pieter van Gunst created this portrait of Frederik Dekkers using engraving techniques. The portrait captures Dekkers, a prominent physician, within the context of his time, reflecting the values and status associated with his profession. The column in the background, combined with the ornamental oval frame, gives Dekkers an air of importance and timelessness. Consider the gaze of Dekkers, which is direct, and seemingly confronts the viewer. What does it mean to be seen in this way? How does the portrait contribute to the construction of identity and authority, particularly within the realm of medicine and science? As we reflect on this image, let’s think about how portraits function not just as representations of individuals, but as cultural artifacts that tell us about power, knowledge, and the ways in which certain people are memorialized.