Portret van de rekenmeester Willem Bartjens 1636 - 1715

This engraving by Salomon Savery, likely made in the Dutch Republic in the first half of the 17th century, depicts Willem Bartjens, a prominent reckoning master. Beyond just a portrait, it reflects the rising importance of mathematical knowledge in Dutch society. The Dutch Golden Age saw burgeoning trade and scientific advancements. Skills in arithmetic and accounting became highly valued and Bartjens was a celebrity due to his hugely popular arithmetic textbooks. Savery's engraving creates meaning through the sitter's tools: his book and pen. By associating Bartjens with these instruments of learning, the image elevates the status of mathematical knowledge and those who disseminate it. To fully understand this image, researchers might consult archival records of Dutch education, accountancy practices, and the publishing industry. This portrait reminds us that art is intertwined with the social and institutional contexts in which it's made and consumed.