Aelbert Cuyp, VOC Senior Merchant with his Wife and an Enslaved Servant, ca. 1650–1655

This painting by the Dutch artist Aelbert Cuyp (1620–1691) shows on the left side a senior merchant of the VOC, presumably Jakob Martensen, and his wife. Behind them is a man in slavery. He is holding a sunshade, a pajong, over their heads which was a sign of status in Javanese culture. Batavia Castle can be seen in the background. To the right the VOC's return fleet lies ready on the roadstead. As a sign of solidarity, the merchant points his stick at the ships.

VOC Senior Merchant with his Wife and an Enslaved Servant, oil on canvas, ca. 1650–1655, artist: Aelbert Cuyp (1620–1691); source: Rijksmuseum Amsterdam, http://hdl.handle.net/10934/RM0001.COLLECT.7728, public domain.