Portrait of Adriaan du Bois, Director of the Rotterdam Chamber of the Dutch East India Company, elected 1742 1760

This portrait of Adriaan du Bois, a director of the Dutch East India Company, was painted by Jean Humbert in the mid-18th century using oil on canvas. Humbert’s deft brushwork captures the subject’s likeness, conveying the essence of a man of power and influence, but it is the material culture surrounding Adriaan that speaks volumes about his status in the world. Consider, for example, the labor-intensive lace adorning his cuffs and neck, its intricate patterns a testament to the skill of the lacemakers who produced it. Of course, the Dutch East India Company was synonymous with global trade, and many luxury goods made their way into European society through its networks. The fine fabric of Adriaan’s suit, most likely dyed with costly imported pigments, indicates his access to these networks, and to commodities produced by exploited labor. Looking closely at the work’s materials and considering the global context of its creation invites a deeper understanding of the sitter, the artist, and the complex economic system in which they lived.