Portret van een man, mogelijk de jurist Johann Gottfried Bauer 1683 - 1746

This is a portrait, made with a burin and etching around the turn of the 18th century, by Nicolaas Verkolje. It depicts a man, possibly the jurist Johann Gottfried Bauer, and it offers a fascinating insight into the social and institutional norms of the Dutch Golden Age. The image creates meaning through a number of visual codes that would have been very familiar at the time. The man’s elaborate wig, his ornate clothing, and the grand architectural setting all speak to his wealth and status. The coat of arms in the upper right further reinforces his family’s position in society. The work reflects the hierarchical social structures of the Dutch Republic. Portraits like these were often commissioned by the wealthy elite to project an image of power and respectability. The Rijksmuseum itself, as an institution dedicated to preserving and displaying such artifacts, plays a role in reinforcing these historical power dynamics. To fully understand this image, we could consult genealogical records, historical accounts of the Dutch legal system, and studies of portraiture in the Golden Age. Art history is about understanding how social and institutional contexts shape artistic production and reception.