Portrait of Johan de Reus, Director of the Rotterdam Chamber of the Dutch East India Company, elected 1657 1695 - 1722

Pieter van der Werff painted this portrait of Johan de Reus, a director within the Dutch East India Company, sometime after Johan was elected in 1657. The Dutch East India Company was at the heart of global trade during the 17th century. It's crucial to remember that its wealth was built on the exploitation of resources and people in Asia. Johan de Reus, as a director, was part of a system that perpetuated colonial power and profoundly shaped international relations. In this portrait, do you see a man of power, or a man complicit in a larger web of exploitation? The sombre tones and somewhat weary expression invite us to consider the weight of such responsibility. This painting isn't just a historical record; it's an artifact of a complex, often brutal history. It asks us to confront the legacies of colonialism that continue to shape our world.