Portret van Jan Bart, 1694 1775 - 1799

This engraving, "Portret van Jan Bart," was created in 1694 by an anonymous artist. It presents us with a portrait of Jan Bart, a naval commander, set against the backdrop of a fierce naval battle. This image invites us to consider how identities are constructed through both portraiture and historical narrative. Bart is portrayed as a figure of authority and valor, his identity intrinsically linked to military success and service to Louis XIV. Consider the composition. The portrait of Jan Bart and the scene of naval engagement are designed to emphasize the heroism of war. What is the cost of such representation, particularly when considering the lives and experiences of those not deemed worthy of memorialization? As viewers, we're compelled to consider whose stories are told and whose are left in the shadows.