Portret van Joan Derk van der Capellen tot den Pol 1784

Hendrik Leffert Meyling created this portrait of Joan Derk van der Capellen tot den Pol from mother-of-pearl, set into a wooden frame. This wasn't a typical material for formal portraiture, which would usually be painted on canvas or a small copper plate. Here, the artist has used the subtle iridescence of the shell to catch the light, and the hard, brittle material has been carefully engraved to depict the sitter's likeness. The use of mother-of-pearl elevates the piece beyond mere craft, yet it also speaks to a different kind of value than we find in conventional portraiture. Consider the labor involved in harvesting the shell, preparing it, and then meticulously carving the portrait. This contrasts with the elite status of the subject, a nobleman known for his progressive political views. In this light, the artwork prompts us to consider the relationship between materials, making, and social class.