Hermanus Boerhaave (1668-1738), Professor of Medicine at the University of Leiden, with his Wife Maria Drolenvaux (1686-1746) and their Daughter Johanna Maria (1712-91)

Aert de Gelder painted this group portrait of Hermanus Boerhaave, a celebrated professor of medicine at the University of Leiden, with his wife and daughter. During the 18th century, the Dutch Republic was a society deeply invested in civic virtues and domestic life, yet also one built on global trade and colonial exploitation. In this context, group portraits were not just representations, but performed a role in shaping and reinforcing social identities and values. Consider here the emphasis on family and lineage, seen in the careful depiction of each member and their connection to one another. Boerhaave’s success is subtly conveyed through his assured pose and his family’s elegant clothing. De Gelder, a student of Rembrandt, uses light and shadow to enhance the emotional depth of his subjects, creating a sense of intimacy. The portrait is a testament to the professor’s status and to the importance of family, but it also hints at the complex dynamics of wealth, status and the cultural values of the time.