Portret van Michiel Adriaansz. de Ruyter 1833 - 1863

Franciscus Bernardus Waanders made this print of Michiel Adriaansz. de Ruyter, though the exact date is unknown. This portrait captures de Ruyter in his military attire, emphasizing his status and the importance of naval power in Dutch society. Made in the Netherlands, this image reflects the cultural and political landscape where naval heroes were celebrated. The Dutch Golden Age saw the rise of powerful admirals who defended trade routes and established the Netherlands as a global maritime power. Waanders uses visual codes to invoke the pride of the Dutch people, referencing a heroic past to encourage national unity. To truly understand this work, we look to archives, historical texts, and institutional records, diving into the social conditions of the time. We consider how institutions shape artistic production and how art comments on and interacts with contemporary social structures.