Who painted De handelsloge van de VOC in Hougly in Bengalen?

De handelsloge van de VOC in Hougly in Bengalen was painted by Hendrik van Schuylenburgh in 1665.

Where can I see De handelsloge van de VOC in Hougly in Bengalen?

De handelsloge van de VOC in Hougly in Bengalen is held by Rijksmuseum.

What movement is De handelsloge van de VOC in Hougly in Bengalen?

De handelsloge van de VOC in Hougly in Bengalen is associated with Dutch Golden Age.

Can I buy a print of De handelsloge van de VOC in Hougly in Bengalen?

Museum-quality prints of De handelsloge van de VOC in Hougly in Bengalen are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

De handelsloge van de VOC in Hougly in Bengalen

Hendrik van Schuylenburgh , 1665

De handelsloge van de VOC in Hougly in Bengalen is an unspecified painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Hendrik van Schuylenburgh. It dates from 1665 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum. The canvas depicts a bustling Dutch East India Company (VOC) outpost at Hougly in Bengal, situated on the Ganges River.

About this work

Overview

The canvas depicts a bustling Dutch East India Company (VOC) outpost at Hougly in Bengal, situated on the Ganges River. Vessels bearing the VOC flag navigate the water while a company director engages with a local Indian ruler on the banks. Guarded laborers, identified as enslaved individuals, are shown performing tasks within the fortified settlement.

Subject & Meaning

Beyond the apparent commercial activity, the painting foregrounds the VOC’s involvement in the slave trade, a significant yet grim aspect of its operations in 17th‑century Bengal. By portraying the transaction as orderly, the work subtly reveals the contrast between the veneer of civilised commerce and the underlying violence of human trafficking that sustained the company’s profit.

Technique & Style

Executed in a detailed, narrative style typical of Dutch colonial illustrations, the artist employs a balanced composition that guides the eye from the riverine ships to the diplomatic encounter and finally to the laboring figures. Precise rendering of architecture and costume conveys a documentary quality, while the muted palette underscores the sober atmosphere of the scene.

History & Provenance

The painting’s creator remains anonymous, and its origins trace back to the period when the VOC actively sourced enslaved people from Bengal for redistribution across its Indian Ocean network. The work entered the Rijksmuseum collection as part of a broader assemblage of VOC visual records, offering insight into the company’s overseas activities.

Context

During the 1600s, Bengal was a major hub for the VOC’s acquisition of enslaved labor, reflecting the broader European demand for human resources in colonial enterprises. The depiction of a director’s audience with an Indian ruler illustrates the diplomatic and commercial negotiations that underpinned the company’s expansion in the region.