Pieter Mijer (1812-81). Gouverneur-generaal (1866-71) 1874

This is a portrait of Pieter Mijer painted by Johan Heinrich Neuman, oil on canvas. The composition of the painting draws the eye immediately to the elaborate adornments and ornamentation that overwhelm the canvas. Neuman's use of gold embroidery, medallions, and the sash are all meticulously rendered, creating a visual spectacle which signifies power. The subject’s gaze is level, yet seems to dissolve any sense of intimate connection. I wonder if this depiction attempts to destabilize the traditional concept of portraiture? Instead of capturing an individual's character, Neuman seems more concerned with the construction of an image through visual signs. The symbols of authority create a complex semiotic system. The artist seems less interested in the individual and more in the structural components that make up a representation of power. This painting thus presents a complex interplay between the individual and the structures of power. It compels us to consider the semiotic and cultural codes that underpin our understanding of representation and authority.