Ludolph Anne Jan Wilt Baron Sloet van de Beele (1806-90). Gouverneur-generaal (1861-66) 1867

Editor: This painting, rendered in oil paint, depicts Ludolph Anne Jan Wilt Baron Sloet van de Beele, the Governor-General of the Dutch East Indies, created in 1867 by Barend Leonardus Hendriks. The weight of the subject’s regalia seems palpable, it's a pretty heavy portrait. What sort of statement do you think it’s trying to make? Curator: Well, beyond being a portrait, this is an artifact reflecting the construction and projection of colonial power in the 19th century. Sloet van de Beele’s ornate attire and the setting – note the subtle emblem at the top – all serve to reinforce Dutch authority and legitimacy in the East Indies. Consider, for instance, the inclusion of the sword. What message do you think *that* sends? Editor: It seems like a show of strength, like a quiet threat amidst all the formality. Was this how the Dutch wanted to be seen by those they governed? Curator: Precisely. These portraits served as powerful visual propaganda, intended to impress upon both European and Indonesian audiences the might and sophistication of the Dutch colonial administration. Academic art was a tool. Who do you think it would appeal to in society at that time? Editor: I imagine wealthy patrons who benefitted from colonial trade and the military figures. It presents a very controlled and orderly image. Curator: It does, and that is very much the point. Now consider, who *isn't* represented, whose perspectives are absent in this carefully constructed image of power? And what implications might *that* have? Editor: That makes me rethink the role of portraiture. It's not just capturing a likeness; it's a statement. Curator: Exactly. It invites us to critically examine the relationship between art, power, and historical narratives. We must also look beyond the surface in understanding these visuals.