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Portrait of the Dutch admiral Jan Hendrik van Kinsbergen (1735-1819), with binoculars and his arm resting on a cannon. Copper engraving by Reinier Vinkeles (1741-1816), after a drawing by Hendrik Pothoven (1725-1807). Signed in print. Made in Amsterdam in 1781. A successful encounter with the British in 1781 gave Van Kinsbergen a reputation as a naval hero and he was recruited by Stadholder William V to take care of naval affairs. In 1793 he became a formal commander in the rank of lieutenant admiral. However, in 1795 he was pushed aside by the Batavian Republic, after which he led a secluded life devoted to philanthropy until 1806, although he had entered the Danish service as vice-admiral. From that year onwards he was used by the Kingdom of Holland as a symbol for reconciliation with the old Republic, and was appointed marshal, admiral and count. After the annexation of the country by the French Empire, he became a senator. In 1814 Van Kinsbergen was again given the honorary rank of lieutenant admiral. Source: Rijksmuseum, 2015.
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