Portret van Conrad Janninck 1723

Pieter Balthasar Bouttats created this print of Conrad Janninck sometime around 1723. It’s a formal portrait, neatly framed within an oval border, and it speaks to the power of the printed image in solidifying social status. Made in the Netherlands, this image operates within a well-established tradition of portraiture. The subject, Conradus Iannningus, is portrayed with dignity, holding a book that signifies his learning and status. The Latin inscription indicates his age at the time of death. The institutional history here lies in the art market itself; prints like these were commodities, bought and sold, and played a key role in shaping public perception. This portrait also reflects the conservative social structures of its time, reinforcing notions of hierarchy and respect. To truly understand this print, we might delve into genealogical records or explore Dutch printmaking traditions. By understanding the social and institutional context, we can start to appreciate the complex ways in which this image was created and circulated.