Portret van Adriaen Hanneman 1625 - 1636

Robert van Voerst created this print, “Portret van Adriaen Hanneman,” using engraving. Prints like this one played a crucial role in shaping and disseminating images of power and status in the Dutch Golden Age. Adriaen Hanneman, a historical and portrait painter, is presented here with a sense of cultivated ease. The fine details in his garments speak to the economic prosperity of the Dutch Republic, built, of course, on the exploitation of its colonies. At the same time, the portrait participates in constructing a visual culture of male authority. The way Hanneman’s gaze meets ours establishes a dynamic of power, reminding us to consider whose stories are being told and whose are being erased. Hanneman’s identity as an artist is carefully curated through his clothing and pose, inviting us to consider how artists have historically fashioned their public personas. As you reflect on this image, think about how portraiture continues to shape our perceptions of identity and social standing. How do artists today subvert or challenge these established visual codes?