Governor-General Vander Lyn of the Dutch East Indies, 1724, Paper

Details

Description

Cornelis van der lyn, gouverneur generaal van nederlands indien copperplate engraving/etching on hand laid (verge) paper. The image is an … Read more Cornelis van der lyn, gouverneur generaal van nederlands indien copperplate engraving/etching on hand laid (verge) paper. The image is an original antique print, a portrait of cornelis van der lijn (1608 – 1679), who was the governor-general of the dutch east indies from 1646 to 1650. The print is a fine example of the engraving art of the period, showcasing van der lijn in the attire reflective of his high office, which is marked by a wide-brimmed hat and a formal, buttoned coat. The engraving captures the fashion and artistic style of the mid-17th century. The detailed craftsmanship allows us to see the textures of his clothing, the facial features, and even the individual buttons, indicating his status. The background of the portrait, with its serene landscape, might be symbolic, possibly alluding to the foreign lands over which he governed or perhaps the maritime nature of the dutch empire, given his connection to naval expeditions. As a member of the council of batavia, the governing body of the dutch east indies located in present-day jakarta, van der lijn would have been a key figure in the administration of the dutch colonial efforts in asia. His sponsorship of abel tasman's expeditions also places him as an important patron in the age of dutch exploration, which saw significant discoveries and expansions of the known world. Tasman is renowned for his voyages that led to the european discovery of tasmania, new zealand, and fiji, among other places in the pacific. The sponsorship of such expeditions by van der lijn suggests his active role in the expansion of dutch navigational knowledge and colonial influence. This print not only serves as a personal record of van der lijn but also as a historical document that connects to a broader narrative of dutch colonial history, exploration, and the mercantile enterprise of the voc. It would have been intended for an audience with an interest in the illustrious figures of the dutch golden age, providing a face to the names involved in the grand narratives of exploration and colonization. From the monumental work by françois valentyn: “oud en nieuw oost-indiën, vervattende een naaukeurige en uitvoerige verhandelinge van nederlands mogentheyd in die gewesten”. Dordrecht/amsterdam: j. Van braam en g. Onder de linden, 1724/1726. (transl.: old and new east-indies, including an accurate and extensive of dutch / voc controlled territories.) made by an anonymous engraver after valentijn. See less