Portrait of Jan Valckenburgh

1660

Jan Valckenburgh, portrayed in full regalia wearing armour and holding a commander’s baton, was twice director-general of Elmina on the African Gold Coast. His black houseboy wears a gold medal with a view of Fort Elmina, which is also depicted in the background. Valckenburgh received the medal from the Dutch West India Company for services rendered. In the 17th and 18th centuries, the Netherlands shipped about 600.000 slaves to America, 7% of the total number.