Portret van Wilhelmus Hogerwaard 1732

Jacob Houbraken created this portrait of Wilhelmus Hogerwaard using engraving techniques. Here, Hogerwaard is presented to us at the age of 35, framed within an oval, and accompanied by a laudatory inscription. This piece offers a glimpse into the cultural and intellectual life of the Dutch Republic. Hogerwaard's attire and the book he holds speak to his status and profession, likely as a scholar or clergyman. The elaborate wig, a marker of status, contrasts with the simplicity of his clerical collar, hinting at the complex interplay between religious calling and social standing. The inscription praises Hogerwaard's spirit and wisdom, suggesting the high regard in which he was held by his contemporaries. Yet, we might also consider how such portraits functioned to reinforce societal hierarchies, immortalizing the sitter while subtly excluding others. It invites us to reflect on how the visual representation of individuals like Hogerwaard shaped perceptions of identity, success, and belonging in the Dutch Golden Age.