Portret van Nikolaas Hasselaer

Jacob Houbraken made this print of Nicolaas Hasselaer in the 18th century. This formal portrait of a major from Amsterdam shows the sitter in full military dress, framed in an oval border. Prints like this, and the institutions that fostered them, shaped the social and political life of the Dutch Republic. The portrait commemorates Hasselaer, but also transmits the values of the institutions that he stood for. Hasselaer would have been part of a wealthy, powerful, merchant class running Amsterdam. As a major, he was charged with preserving the peace and stability that allowed their trade to continue. His attire signals his position, just as the formality of the portrait marks his importance within the city. To understand this image, we could look to the archives of the Amsterdam city government, which can tell us more about Hasselaer’s life and career. By understanding these institutions, we can also understand the social world of the Dutch Republic.