Portret van Adriaan van der Willigen 1811

Philippus Velijn created this portrait of Adriaan van der Willigen using etching and engraving techniques. Velijn worked in a time of social and political upheaval, a period defined by shifting class structures and the rise of a Dutch national identity. Consider how portraiture, traditionally a privilege of the elite, began to include members of the middle class, reflecting a changing social landscape. Adriaan van der Willigen's upward gaze and slight smile convey optimism; the ruffled shirt and dark jacket are markers of a new kind of status. Although this is a conventional depiction for the time, note the intimate, emotional connection Velijn creates with his subject. Velijn captures not just the likeness of van der Willigen, but also a sense of his spirit. This portrait encourages us to consider the personal aspirations within the broader context of social change.