Portret van Cornelis Schrijver 1747 - 1759

Jacob Houbraken created this engraving, "Portret van Cornelis Schrijver," in the 18th century. It captures Cornelis Schrijver, likely a man of considerable status, framed within an oval border. The Dutch Republic in the 1700s was defined by its complex class structures and burgeoning intellectual life. Schrijver's attire, the meticulous detail in the engraving, and the very act of commissioning such a portrait speaks to his position within this society. The portrait not only immortalizes Schrijver but also communicates a set of societal values, emphasizing status and intellect. Houbraken, through his skilled engraving, captures the nuances of his subject's identity and the social values of the time. It is a quiet, yet powerful declaration of self and societal worth.