Carel Bouman (1673-1747). Tabaksfactor te Amsterdam en dichter 1739

Cornelis Troost’s portrait, “Carel Bouman (1673-1747). Tabaksfactor te Amsterdam en dichter,” captures its sitter in pastel with a remarkable study in form and social semiotics. The portrait employs a muted palette, predominantly blues and grays, setting a somber yet refined mood. The subject, Carel Bouman, is depicted seated, his figure forming a stable, almost pyramidal composition. Troost masterfully uses light to define shape, particularly in Bouman’s wig and face, drawing the viewer’s eye to his expression. The composition here, however, does more than simply represent; it signifies. The book and papers under Bouman's hands, the heavy fabrics, and ornate furnishings all contribute to a narrative of status and intellect. Troost's attention to detail, from the sheen on Bouman's shoes to the intricate patterns on the tablecloth, reinforces this construction of identity. Consider how this portrait uses its formal elements to engage in a broader discourse about class, profession, and the performance of selfhood. The details in this artwork do not simply exist; they speak.