Portretten van David Vinckboons en Jacob van Mosscher 1764

This etching of David Vinckboons and Jacob van Mosscher was made by Jan l' Admiral in the 18th century. The print depicts two artists from the Dutch Golden Age, one above the other. We see Vinckboons' portrait on an easel and Jacob van Mosscher below in a tondo. In the 1700s, the Dutch Republic was well known for its artistic innovation and its vibrant art market. Institutions such as the Guild of Saint Luke contributed to the development and regulation of artistic production. Notice how Admiral uses the visual language of portraiture to elevate the status of these two artists. The window in the background, the easel and the round frame all suggest this. The artwork celebrates the cultural legacy of the Dutch Golden Age at a time when artistic traditions were being codified by institutions and academies. By exploring archives, letters, and institutional records, we can better understand the complex social networks and artistic values that shaped this image.