Religion · 18th century
€ 220
One of a kind: this is the sheet in the photographs. Ships from Langweer, the Netherlands.
condition with full margins. Slight age toning and some light spotting along the outer edges. A minor water stain on the right margin, not affecting the image. Strong impression.
Portrait of Jacob van der Tocht – Gouda Burgemeester, Engraved by Claessens, 1794
This finely executed 18th-century engraving portrays Jacob van der Tocht (d. 1680), a prominent Dutch statesman who served as Burgomaster (Mayor), Councillor, and Pensionary of the city of Gouda during the Dutch Republic’s Golden Age. He was also a representative of the States-General to the courts of Brussels and Berlin—an indication of his stature in both municipal and diplomatic affairs.
The portrait shows van der Tocht in traditional 17th-century Dutch civic dress, with long curled hair and a white neckband. His solemn expression and formal posture reflect the dignity of his office. The image is framed within a classical oval medallion set on a pedestal inscribed with his titles in Dutch:
"Mr. Jacob van der Tocht, Burgemeester, Raad en Pensionaris der Stad Gouda, Afgevaardigde van dem Staat aan 't Hof van Brusel en Berlijn."
This print was engraved in 1794 by Lambertus Antonius Claessens (1763–1843) and Jan Kobell, after a 17th-century painting by Wallerant Vaillant (1623–1677), one of the leading portrait painters of the Dutch Golden Age. It was published as part of 'Byvoegsels en aanmerkingen voor het dertiende deel der Vaderlandsche historie', a supplement to Jan Wagenaar’s renowned 'Vaderlandsche Historie'—a cornerstone of Enlightenment-era Dutch historiography.
This dignified portrait provides a historical window into the civic governance of early modern Holland and would appeal to collectors of Dutch historical prints, political figures of the Republic, and 18th-century engraved reproductions of Golden Age portraiture.
Condition: Good condition with full margins. Slight age toning and some light spotting along the outer edges. A minor water stain on the right margin, not affecting the image. Strong impression.
Framing tips: A classic black or dark wood frame with an ivory mat will elevate the formality of the portrait and highlight its clean engraving technique.
Technique: Engraving on laid paper
Maker: Lambertus Antonius Claessens and Jan Kobell, after Wallerant Vaillant
Date: 1794, Netherlands
