Portret van Matthias van Gherwen 1657 - 1707

Hendrik Bary created this print of Matthias van Gherwen in the Netherlands sometime between 1660 and 1707. It is an engraving, a process that allowed for the relatively cheap reproduction of images, often portraits, and their circulation among a wide public. Bary's portrait provides a glimpse into the visual codes of the Dutch Golden Age. Van Gherwen's attire speaks to his social standing: the wide-brimmed hat, the simple but elegant white collar, and the dark cloak all signal a man of means and status. During this period, the Dutch Republic was a major economic power, and portraits like this reflected the values of a society increasingly dominated by merchants and professionals. The sober, almost stern, expression suggests a sense of civic responsibility and moral rectitude, qualities admired in Dutch society. Understanding this portrait requires historical research. Archival documents, period literature, and studies of Dutch social history help us to reconstruct the world in which the artwork was produced and consumed, appreciating its meaning as something deeply rooted in its own time and place.