Witte Cornelisz de With (1599-1658), Vice-Admiral of Holland and West-Friesland 1657

This painting of Witte Cornelisz de With, Vice-Admiral of Holland and West-Friesland, was likely made in the mid-17th century by an anonymous artist. It's oil on canvas, traditional materials for portraiture at the time. But consider the labor embedded here. From the cultivation of flax for the linen canvas, to the grinding of pigments for the paint, this work represents a complex web of production. And of course, the Vice-Admiral's armor speaks volumes. Each plate would have been individually forged and fitted, a testament to the highly skilled labor of the armorer. The armor's gleam, the way it catches the light, is a direct result of the armorer's craft. Even the Vice-Admiral's pose, his confident stance, the baton in his hand – these are carefully constructed to project power and authority. But it’s important to remember that this image of authority is built upon countless hours of often invisible work. So when you look at this painting, think not only of the man depicted, but also of the many hands that made his image possible.