Portret van Albert Cuyp 1798 - 1837

This is Ernst Willem Jan Bagelaar's etched portrait of Albert Cuyp, made in the late 18th or early 19th century. Bagelaar, working in a period of significant political and social change in the Netherlands, created this piece as part of a broader cultural interest in celebrating Dutch artistic heritage. The portrait revives the image of Cuyp, a celebrated painter from the Dutch Golden Age. Bagelaar's choice to depict Cuyp, and the style in which he does so, reflects the 18th and 19th century's understanding and idealization of the Dutch Golden Age. This was a period marked by the rise of Dutch mercantile power. This portrait serves not only as a historical record, but also as a cultural statement. What does it mean to look back and revive the image of an artist from a previous era? It invites us to reflect on how we construct our understanding of history. It prompts us to consider the values and identities we choose to celebrate.