Portrait of Harmen Hendrik van de Poll, Burgomaster of Amsterdam 1749

Hendrik Pothoven's "Portrait of Harmen Hendrik van de Poll, Burgomaster of Amsterdam" (1749) is a striking example of Dutch portraiture from the 18th century. The oil on canvas painting depicts the burgomaster in a formal pose, his attire and the presence of a quill pen and an inkwell suggesting his position of power and authority within Amsterdam. The painting's dark background and focused composition draw attention to the sitter's features and the meticulously rendered details of his clothing. Today, the work is housed in the Rijksmuseum, providing a glimpse into the lives of prominent citizens during a period of significant economic and political change in the Netherlands.