Portret van Nicolaas Cornelis de Fremery after 1834

This portrait of Nicolaas Cornelis de Fremery was made by Pieter Wilhelmus van de Weijer, using lithography. During the 19th century, portraits were a powerful tool for constructing and communicating social identity. De Fremery, a man of status, is depicted here with symbols of authority. Note the detail in his garments and the confident gaze he directs towards the viewer, which speaks to the power dynamics inherent in portraiture of this era. As we consider this image, let’s also think about those who were excluded from such representations. What stories remain untold in the grand narratives of the 19th century? How might our understanding of history shift if we centered the experiences of marginalized communities? In contemplating this portrait, we're invited to reflect on the complex interplay between individual identity and societal power structures, and also what is absent from them.