Paintings provide an image of a city and its inhabitants. Commissioned by the city council, Adam Willaerts painted a wall-filling view of Dordrecht which hung prominently in the city hall for years. In this way, Dordrecht presented itself to the world as a prosperous, proud and industrious city.

Rich citizens commissioned paintings for themselves or for the church. In the 17th century, merchants and regents frequently had their portraits painted by prominent painters like Jacob Cuyp and Jacobus Leveck. The portraits portrayed the Dutch citizens as they wished to be seen: distinguished and self-assured but averse to outward appearances. Moderation ranked as one of the most important virtues in Protestant Holland.