Portret van Joseph Jacobus van Geen 1828 - 1843

This is a portrait of Joseph Jacobus van Geen by Albertus Verhoesen, made with etching around the mid-19th century. Van Geen’s stern gaze and military regalia situate him firmly within the Dutch military establishment. The image creates meaning through a visual code of power and authority; his dress uniform and medals reference the military institutions of the Netherlands at this time. The Dutch army was in a state of transition throughout the 1800s, from the Napoleonic wars through colonial conflicts in the Dutch East Indies. Van Geen’s portrait thus reflects the values of the Dutch military establishment: hierarchy, duty, and national pride. To understand this image better, we can delve into the history of the Royal Netherlands Army, its role in Dutch society, and the visual culture that helped to define it. Art is always contingent on its social and institutional context, which can be revealed through careful historical research.