Portretten van Paulus Moreelse, Balthasar Lauwers en Floris Claesz. van Dijck 1764

This print, made by Jan l' Admiral, depicts three men: Paulus Moreelse, Balthasar Lauwers, and Floris Claesz. van Dijck. It offers a glimpse into the world of the Dutch Golden Age, a period marked by economic prosperity, artistic innovation, and burgeoning global trade. These portraits, rendered with careful detail, capture the likenesses of men who were very likely part of a powerful merchant class. The ruffs around their necks symbolize status and belonging to a certain societal echelon. These were men who actively shaped the world they inhabited. What does it mean to have your portrait made, to fix your image in time? The act of creating and viewing portraits such as these makes me consider the power dynamics inherent in representation, and the ways in which identities are constructed and solidified through art. The desire to be remembered raises questions about legacy, privilege, and the narratives we choose to preserve.