Thomas Hees and his Servant Thomas and Nephews Jan and Andries Hees, Michiel van Musscher, 1687 – (Michiel Van Musscher) ◄ Previous Next ►

Artist: Michiel Van Musscher

Date: 1687

Size: 76 x 63 cm

Technique: Oil On Canvas

Portraits of Thomas Hees, resident and commissioner of the States General to the governments of Algiers, Tunis and Tripoli, mediator on the ransom of Christian slaves in Algiers in 1683 with his cousins Jan and Andries Hees, and Thomas, the slave servant of African origin. Hees is at the heart of the composition, on a so-called Spanish chair that is lined with red velours, lined with goldgalon and fringe of gold wire. With his right arm leans Raise relaxed on the table and in his left hand he holds a long Turkish pipe. The African Thomas supports the pipe and illustrates his role as servant. The attitude and activities of the other two depicted persons are also serving. Cousin Andries brings a letter to his uncle. Meanwhile, Cousin Jan offers his uncle a tobacco pot and a beautifully embroidered canvas for refreshment. Hees wears a șalvar, a wide pants that runs from the knee to the ankle with an entari over it, a long robe worn by both men and women. The servant Thomas has a beautiful cloth tied around his head. Apart from his grey blue clothing and the red vest, he wears earrings with pearls and a band with a gilded clasp around the neck. Such metal bands can be seen as a reference to slavery and ownership. Thomas Hees' diary notes show that the boy was aboard a Portuguese ship conquered by the Algerians and was offered on 22 August 1677 at the slave market of Algiers. He was at that time seven years old and was given by Hees not only his own first name, but in full the names "Thomas Joseph Algiers." The carpet on the table is a rare representation of a vase carpet, originating from Kirman, an area known for a specific weaving technique that made the dress relatively stiff and therefore actually less suitable to lay over a table. On the floor is a so-called Smyrna carpet. The atlas has been opened by the countries around the Mediterranean, with the inscription "BARBARBARI" at the bottom of the right-hand page in a cartouche. The names Algiers, Tunis and Tripoli indicate the mission of the envoy here. The atlas leans against a globe of heaven and a row of books, which starts left with the Biblia Sacra, followed by a Qur'an with Arabic inscription and an unidentifiable book. There's an hourglass and an ink set with goose feather on the table, and there's a paint stamp and a small round foedal, possibly with a watch. On the table is a letter bag of red velvet with gold embroidery. On the back wall hang some guns, nimchas, powder horns and pattern bags, branches coral, a mirror and a weapon board with the Dutch Lion.