Dutch West India Company Collection

Abraham de Visscher (1605-67). Amsterdam merchant and director of the Dutch West India Company, 1650-1667. Attributed to Jacob Adriaensz. Backer. (Formerly attributed to Abraham van den Tempel)

West Indiaman, 1779-1787. Creator: Jan Brandes
West Indiaman, 1779-1787. WIC ship of approx. 100 feet on calm sea. With inscription. Part of Jan Brandes sketchbook, dl. 2 (1808), p. 56

Portrait of Dina Lems, Wife of Jan Valckenburgh, c.1660. Creator: Daniel Vertangen
Portrait of Dina Lems, Wife of Jan Valckenburgh, c.1660

Portrait of Pieter Pietersz Hein (1577-1629), 1629. Creator: Workshop of Jan Daemen Cool
Portrait of Pieter Pietersz Hein (1577-1629), 1629. Other Title(s): Portrait of Pieter Pietersz Hein (1577-1629), Vice Admiral of Holland

Coat of arms of Van Dorth and of Admiral Jacob Willekens and an empty coat of arms, 1623-1699. Creator: Anon
Coat of arms of Van Dorth and of Admiral Jacob Willekens and an empty coat of arms, 1623-1699. With handwritten text concerning the departure of a fleet in 1623 towards South America

Portrait of Johan Maurits (1604-79), count of Nassau-Siegen and governor of Brazil, 1670-1680. Other Title(s): Portrait of Johan Maurits (1604-79), count of Nassau-Siegen and governor of Brazil

Portrait of Willem Usselinx, Merchant and Founder of the Dutch West Indies Company, 1637. Creator: Anon
Portrait of Willem Usselinx, Merchant and Founder of the Dutch West Indies Company, 1637

Plantation in Suriname, 1707. Creator: Dirk Valkenburg
Plantation in Suriname, 1707. Dutch merchant and plantation-owner Jonas Witsen commissioned Valkenburg to paint this scene of an orange plantation

Map of California shown as an island, c 1650. Creator: Johannes Vingboons
Map of California shown as an island, c 1650. This map from around 1650 shows California as an island. A half-century would pass before Spanish explorers determined with certainty that California was

Jan Baptist Van Rensselaer, in coat with cuffs reaching above the elbow, c1650, (1937)
Jan Baptist Van Rensselaer, Director of the Manor of Rensselaerwyck, showing a coat with cuffs reaching above the elbow, in reign of George I, c1650, (1937)

Dutch West India Company, c. 1936. Creator: Helen Miller
Dutch West India Company, c. 1936

Forts Zeelandia and Provintia and the City of Tainan, wall hanging
5049801 Forts Zeelandia and Provintia and the City of Tainan, wall hanging (ink and color on deerskin) by Chinese School (19th century); 150.5 A-- 205.1 cm; Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York

Manhattan Purchase (colour litho)
3095817 Manhattan Purchase (colour litho) by English School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Manhattan Purchase. Postcard, early 20th century.); © Look and Learn

Seal of the Province of New Netherland, 1623 (litho)
5668112 Seal of the Province of New Netherland, 1623 (litho) by American School, (17th century) (after); Collection of the New-York Historical Society, USA; eNew York Historical Society; American

Don Miguel de Castro, Emissary of Kongo, c. 1643 (oil on panel)
5675864 Don Miguel de Castro, Emissary of Kongo, c.1643 (oil on panel) by Becx, Jasper (c.1600-47); 72x62 cm; Statens Museum for Kunst, Copenhagen

Woman in Surinam, 1860 (watercolour)
5916351 Woman in Surinam, 1860 (watercolour) by Dutch School, (19th century); 17x26 cm; Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; (add.info)

Governor Peter Stuyvesant (1592-1672), c. 1660 (oil on panel)
NYH153889 Governor Peter Stuyvesant (1592-1672), c.1660 (oil on panel) by Couturier, Hendrick (fl.1648-d.c.1684) (attr.); 57.2x44.5 cm; Collection of the New-York Historical Society

The Dutch seize Salvador Bahia, Brazil, 1624 (engraving)
5233468 The Dutch seize Salvador Bahia, Brazil, 1624 (engraving) by English School, (18th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Dutch seize Salvador Bahia, Brazil)

Dutch West India Company warehouse in New Amsterdam
First warehouse of the Dutch West India Company, New Amsterdam, 1600s. Hand-colored woodcut of a 19th-century illustration

Abraham de Visscher 1605-67 Amsterdam merchant
Abraham de Visscher (1605-67). Amsterdam merchant and director of the Dutch West India Company, Portrait of Abraham de Visscher (1605-67)

1219812; out of copyright

MANHATTAN PURCHASE, 1626. Letter from Pieter Schaghen, board member of the Dutch West India Company, to the States General in 1626

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"The Dutch West India Company: Exploring the Legacy of a Maritime Powerhouse" Step back in time to the 17th century and immerse yourself in the captivating world of the Dutch West India Company. This influential trading enterprise left an indelible mark on history, shaping global commerce and colonization. Jan Baptist Van Rensselaer, depicted in his coat with cuffs reaching above the elbow, transports us to a bygone era where power and wealth were intertwined. His image captures the essence of this prosperous period. Intriguingly, we also encounter Cupido, a servant dressed in livery from 1766. This ink-on-paper artwork sheds light on the social dynamics within this company's ranks - a testament to their diverse workforce. The portrait of Thomas Ernsthuys further emphasizes individuality within this vast organization. Engraved during 1684-90, it showcases how each member played a unique role in driving its success. Meanwhile, gazing upon Abraham de Visscher's oil painting from 1650-67 reveals not only artistic mastery but also offers insight into the opulence that surrounded those involved with this prestigious venture. A glimpse into colonial life is granted through Margaretha van Raephorst's oil painting from 1668. It depicts an affluent family group alongside their black servant – highlighting both prosperity and inequality simultaneously. The iconic West India House stands tall amidst Amsterdam's bustling streets as seen in various etchings throughout different periods – be it its construction between 1623-26 or its later iteration captured around 1665. Venturing beyond Europe’s borders takes us to Paramaribo and Fort Zeelandia showcased vividly through watercolor artistry dating back to1772. These images transport us across oceans to witness firsthand the far-reaching influence of this powerful company. Lastly, Jacobus Elisa Johannes Capitein’s etching from c1742 introduces us to the diverse individuals who contributed to this maritime empire.