Cornelis Vander Lyn, Gouveneur Generaal Van Nederlands Indien

Artist Matthijs Balen (Dutch, 1684 - 1766)

Engraver Dirk Jongman

Date1726

Object number00018950

NameEngraving

MediumHandcoloured engraving on paper

DimensionsImage: 284 x 172 mm
Overall: 339 x 193 mm, 0.006 kg
Sheet: 339 x 193 mm

ClassificationsArt

Credit LineANMM Collection

Terms

DescriptionHand-coloured engraving on paper depicting Cornelius van der Lijn by Dirk Jongman, after a portrait by M. Balen, Amsterdam, 1726. The inscription under sight reads 'Cornelis Vander Lyn Gouveneur Generaal Van Nederlands Indien'. Van der Lijn worked for the VOC and became Director-General of the Indies in 1642. Below the portrait is what appears to be a typical Dutch family coat of arms of the period.HistoryCornelius van der Lyn (also written as 'Van der Lijn', 'Vander Lijn' or 'Vanderlyn') was born in 1608 in Alkmaar, a city in the province Noord Holland in The Netherlands and died on 27th July, 1679 in Alkmaar. In 1627 van der Lijn traveled as an 'assistant supercargo' onboard the VOC 'fluitschip' (flyboat) WAPEN VAN HOORN, leaving Texel on 19th March, 1627 and arriving in Batavia on 13th October 1627. From 1632 until 1636 he was 'boekhouder-generaal' (Accountant General) for the Batavia-based VOC administration. He was made a member of the Council of the Indies and served for a time as President of the Scheepenrechtbank (a maritime court, but with various other functions). In 1642 he became Director-General of the Indies. On 10th October, 1646, the 'Gentlemen XVII' -the Board of VOC Directors- proclaimed van der Lijn as the Governor General of the Dutch East Indies and the legitimate successor to Anthony van Diemen who had died the previous year. Van der Lijn was not a decisive ruler. He built on what his predecessor had established, although not overly; nor did he undertake many initiatives of his own. He began his period in office by signing peace treaties with Solor, Bantam and Mataram and on 24th September 1646 signed a trade agreement with the Prince of Mataram, the first such contract to be concluded between the VOC and a Javanese ruler. He also took strenuous measures to maintain the monopoly of the Dutch East India Company (VOC) in the Moluccas. After a fierce struggle, the fortress at Kapaha on Thitu Island was captured. The severe regulations he imposed soon led to riots. The VOC Board of Directors (the 'Gentlemen XVII') allowed Van der Lijn, at his own request, to retire with honour on 7th October 1650. On 11th December, he left Batavia aboard the PRINSES ROYAAL, arriving in Texel on 23rd June 1651. His reception at home was as cool as his departure from the Indies had been. He was not offered the customary reception and congratulations given to a returning fleet and its commander. He established himself in Alkmaar where he was elected Mayor (burgermeester) on 24 December 1668. He died in office on 27th July 1679.SignificanceCornelius Van Der Lyn is noteworthy historically, not just because of his work for the Dutch East India Company (VOC) but because later in his life he served as the Mayor of Alkmaar, an important city in 'Noord Holland. One of the 7 United Provinces constituting the Dutch Republic, he has also had several places named after him by explorers: Cape Vanderlin in the Gulf of Carpentaria, Northern Territory and Vanderlin Island (now Freycinet Peninsula) in Eastern Tasmania.

This print also provides one of the few visual records available of an influential individual in Dutch (and world) history.