Portret van Adriaan Pietersz. Loosjes 1797 - 1836

Philippus Velijn created this portrait of Adriaan Pietersz. Loosjes using etching and burin techniques. During the late 18th and early 19th centuries, portraiture served as a powerful tool for constructing and communicating social identity. The sitter, Adriaan Pietersz. Loosjes, was a prominent figure in Dutch society, and the portrait reflects his status and the values associated with his class. Velijn's choice of an oval frame and the meticulous rendering of Loosjes' features and clothing adhere to traditional conventions. Yet, there's a certain sobriety in Loosjes' gaze, which may hint at the shifting social and political landscape of the Netherlands during this period. This work invites us to reflect on how individuals were presented and perceived, and the subtle ways in which artists could convey nuances of character and social standing within the confines of established norms.