Portrait of Jacob Hobein, Rescued the Dutch Flag under Enemy Fire, 18 March 1831

Executed in oil on canvas, the painting balances a sharply rendered figure against a loosely modeled backdrop. Pieneman employs a limited palette of muted blues, pinks, and grays for the distant sea‑and‑shore scene, allowing the subject’s crisp white collar and medal to stand out.

Created a year after the 1831 incident, the portrait entered the Rijksmuseum’s holdings, where it remains on display. Its acquisition reflects the museum’s interest in documenting 19th‑century Dutch military and civic heroes.

The work belongs to a period when Dutch artists frequently commemorated national events through portraiture, reinforcing collective memory of the nation’s resilience. Pieneman, known for large historical compositions, applied his narrative skill to a more intimate, individual celebration.