Aert van Nes (1626-1693), Vice Admiral
Bartholomeus van der Helst
1668
Aert van Nes and his wife Geertruida van Dubbelde, by Bartholomeus van der Helst, 1668. (Background scenes painted by Ludolf Bakhuysen). High-ranking naval officers commanded considerable respect in the Republic. Here, Lieutenant-Admiral Van Nes (c. 1625-1693) and his wife show off their status. The couple had their portraits painted by one of the leading portrait artists of the day. Their clothes are obviously expensive, and Geertruida's jewellery is equally costly. She is pointing to her husband, whose position has brought them prosperity.
Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam · Image: Rijksmuseum, Public domain · Text: Rijksmuseum (adapted), CC0