Portret van Jan van Hemessen c. 1720 - 1774

Cornelis van den Berg created this drawing of Jan van Hemessen using pen in the eighteenth century. At first glance, it seems a simple portrait, but the artist has situated his subject, another artist, within a complex field of cultural meaning. Made in the Netherlands, this drawing testifies to the enduring legacy of Dutch Golden Age painting. Van den Berg’s choice of subject—a fellow artist—signals an awareness of art history. The inscription around the perimeter, identifying Hemessen as a “schilder,” elevates the status of painting as a profession. Additionally, the diamond shape and its limited size are reminiscent of the format used for portraits in early printed books. By reviving older conventions and honoring past masters, Van den Berg situates himself within a continuous artistic tradition, reinforcing the cultural value of art. By researching Dutch artistic lineages and the institutions that supported them, we can appreciate how artists like Van den Berg negotiated their place in history.