Jan Wagenaar (1709-1776)

In 1758 Jan Wagenaar was granted the title of ‘historian of the city of Amsterdam’. In this post he had his portrait done by Tibout Regters. Wagenaar is surrounded by documents from the city archives, to which he had obtained unrestricted access for his work. Wagenaar is clasping a piece of parchment: it is the earliest document (1275) in which Amsterdam is mentioned (Stadsarchief Amsterdam). Other recognizable attributes refer to his book the Vaderlandsche historie (History of the fatherland), the burgomasters’ archive and the statutes of the city council. In the background we see the famous birdseye map of Amsterdam by Cornelis Anthoniszn. The portrait is an excellent illustration of Wagenaar’s belief that historical enquiry must be based on reliable authors, published sources and ‘authentic documents’.

Jan Wagenaar (1709-1776)

In 1758 Jan Wagenaar was granted the title of ‘historian of the city of Amsterdam’. In this post he had his portrait done by Tibout Regters. Wagenaar is surrounded by documents from the city archives, to which he had obtained unrestricted access for his work. Wagenaar is clasping a piece of parchment: it is the earliest document (1275) in which Amsterdam is mentioned (Stadsarchief Amsterdam). Other recognizable attributes refer to his book the Vaderlandsche historie (History of the fatherland), the burgomasters’ archive and the statutes of the city council. In the background we see the famous birdseye map of Amsterdam by Cornelis Anthoniszn. The portrait is an excellent illustration of Wagenaar’s belief that historical enquiry must be based on reliable authors, published sources and ‘authentic documents’.