Portrait of Karel Reyniersz, Governor-General of the Dutch East Indies

This is a portrait of Karel Reyniersz, Governor-General of the Dutch East Indies, painted by an anonymous artist. It is hard to know the exact date of this painting, but the Governor-General held the position between 1650 and 1653. So, we can suppose that the image represents the Dutch Golden Age, when their dominance in global commerce allowed them to become a major center for art. The stern look and the dark clothing express the sitter’s personal power and the authority of his office. His outfit is completed by a large hat which was very common among wealthy people in the 17th century. The coat of arms in the upper-left corner is another signifier of the Governor-General’s status. Careful research into Dutch heraldry would certainly help us to understand the painting better, placing it in its proper social and institutional context.