Portret van Jeremias Dümler 1667

Johann Alexander Böner created this portrait of Jeremias Dümler with etching around 1668. It reflects the cultural values and social hierarchies of the Dutch Golden Age, a period marked by economic prosperity and artistic flourishing, but also stark social inequalities. Dümler's portrait, framed with ornate details and cherubic figures, speaks to his status within this society. The Latin inscription, "In Silentio et Spe fortitudo mea" which translates to "In silence and hope is my strength", emphasizes the stoicism valued in the 17th century, revealing perhaps an emotional or spiritual dimension to Dümler's identity. Böner’s choice to depict Dümler in such a manner reflects the norms of portraiture at the time, yet also subtly hints at individual character. Consider how the portrait's presentation—the frame, the inscriptions, the very act of commissioning such a piece—reinforces Dümler's position within a society defined by class and status.