Zelfportret van Johannes Voorhout (I) 1683 - 1732

This is "Self-Portrait of Johannes Voorhout," made by Arnoud van Halen in the late 17th or early 18th century. The portrait is framed by an oval cartouche, encircled by the inscription "Johannes Voorhout, Pictor Amsterdam." This proclaims Voorhout's identity and profession as a painter from Amsterdam, a visual declaration of self. Below the portrait, artist's tools are arranged—brushes, palette, and maulstick—symbols of artistic creation and skill. The drape is reminiscent of ancient Roman portraits of emperors. The painter, much like emperors or philosophers of antiquity, aimed for immortality through their works. By placing himself among these artistic and intellectual symbols, Voorhout elevates his status. This evokes a psychological tension between ambition and the ephemeral nature of life, an attempt to leave one’s mark against the relentless march of time. The arrangement echoes motifs found in earlier Renaissance and Baroque art, illustrating the enduring human desire for recognition and legacy.