Aert van Nes and his wife Geertruida van Dubbelde, by Bartholomeus van der Helst, 1668. (Background scenes painted by Ludolf Bakhuysen). High-ranking naval officers commanded considerable respect in the Republic. Here, Lieutenant-Admiral Van Nes (c. 1625-1693) and his wife show off their status. The couple had their portraits painted by one of the leading portrait artists of the day. Their clothes are obviously expensive, and Geertruida's jewellery is equally costly. She is pointing to her husband, whose position has brought them prosperity. In the background of the portrait, the ships anchored in the safety of the harbour illustrate her role; the battle in the background of Van Nes's portrait refers to his. He is holding a baton, signalling his naval rank. A servant (his hat submissively in his hand) is bringing a message.