Portret van Joan Derk van der Capellen tot den Pol c. 1774 - 1797

This is Theodorus de Roode’s portrait of Joan Derk van der Capellen tot den Pol. It’s an engraving, and we can tell that it was made to commemorate someone of great importance. Consider the era in which de Roode lived: the late 18th century was a time of massive upheaval, marked by the Enlightenment and revolutionary sentiments. Van der Capellen tot den Pol was a nobleman, but also a controversial political figure in the Dutch Republic, advocating for democratic reforms at a time when power was concentrated in the hands of a few. In this historical context, de Roode’s portrait takes on a particular resonance. It’s more than just a depiction of an individual; it’s a statement about power, identity, and the shifting sands of social order. What does it mean to portray a nobleman as a champion of democratic ideals? What tensions and contradictions are at play here? This portrait invites us to reflect on how individuals navigate their identities within broader historical narratives. It reminds us that even within seemingly rigid social structures, there is always room for agency, resistance, and the possibility of change.