Portret van Hermanus van Garel 1767

Gerard Sibelius created this print, Portret van Hermanus van Garel, using etching techniques. Reflecting the cultural norms of the 18th century, the portrait presents Hermanus van Garel, presumably a man of stature, in a composed and dignified manner. Yet, portraits are never neutral; they operate within a complex social fabric. How does van Garel’s identity intersect with the socio-political environment of his time? What does it mean to be a man in a position of power in 18th century Netherlands? Consider the gaze, the clothing, the hand gesture. Every element contributes to a narrative carefully curated and steeped in cultural meaning. This is not merely a depiction of an individual, but a representation of social identity, power, and perhaps, the expectations and constraints tied to those.