Portret van Diederik Johan, rijksgraaf van Hogendorp van Hofwegen 1741 - 1803

Cornelis Brouwer created this print of Diederik Johan, rijksgraaf van Hogendorp van Hofwegen. It’s hard to look at a portrait of a man in military garb, without considering the politics of representation and power. Diederik Johan held a hereditary title within the Dutch aristocracy. Wearing a military uniform signified allegiance, authority, and service to the state. This image participates in the construction of aristocratic identity and emphasizes the subject’s position in the societal hierarchy. Consider what it meant to be elevated through lineage, particularly in a time of shifting social structures and enlightenment ideals. Brouwer's decision to portray Diederik Johan in this way may reflect a desire to preserve or promote traditional notions of nobility. This portrait offers a glimpse into a time when identity was closely linked to social status.