Jan Pottagie c. 1620 - 1661

Abraham J. Conradus created this small engraving titled ‘Jan Pottagie’ sometime in the 17th century. Here we see the artist’s interest in portraying the everyday person. ‘Jan Pottagie’ is a derogatory term referencing German soldiers, suggesting a potential cultural tension or bias during Conradus's time. The figure is depicted playing a flute, wearing a distinct hat with feather-like adornments, and draped in what appears to be classical garb. This could allude to the performance of gender and the societal roles assigned to different groups. The flute, traditionally associated with pastoral scenes and leisure, is here held by a figure otherwise marked as ‘other.’ This juxtaposition raises questions about who gets to participate in culture and how. Conradus's ‘Jan Pottagie’ captures a moment where identity, perhaps unintentionally, is on display. The portrait encourages us to reflect on the complexities of cultural representation and how art can reinforce or challenge prevailing stereotypes.