Portret van Joachim Maurits baron van Kropff 1786 - 1826

Hendrik Roosing made this print of Joachim Maurits baron van Kropff in the Netherlands. The image signifies social status and honor during the late 18th century. Van Kropff is depicted in profile, a common visual code for portraiture, wearing a military uniform with elaborate embellishments. The setting is a faux-stone frame on top of a stone base. The accoutrements around the frame point to a reverence for the sitter. Dutch society at this time was highly stratified, and portraits like this served to reinforce the hierarchies of class and military rank. Roosing probably made this for public distribution, which suggests that the image of Van Kropff had some kind of political or cultural importance. The Rijksmuseum itself plays a role in shaping our understanding of this image. By displaying it, the museum confers a certain legitimacy to Van Kropff and the social order he represents. Understanding this print requires looking into the history of the Dutch military, Dutch aristocracy, and the institutions of art that have shaped its reception over time.