Portrait of Pieter Caarten 1778

Pompeo Batoni painted this portrait of Pieter Caarten sometime in the 18th century. Batoni was known for painting portraits of wealthy Europeans, especially the British who were on the Grand Tour. In many ways, this portrait speaks to the rise of a particular kind of cosmopolitan identity, one forged through travel, wealth, and the consumption of culture. Caarten, like many others, turned to Batoni to capture his likeness, cementing his place within a network of elites who defined themselves through their appreciation of art and their status within a global economy. Consider the expression on Caarten’s face: it is not one of overt power, but rather of cultivated refinement, an understated elegance. Batoni’s skill lies in his ability to convey not just a physical likeness, but also a sense of social positioning. It serves as a reminder of how identity can be both performed and perceived through the visual language of portraiture.