The Gold Coast of West Africa was captured from the Portuguese by the Dutch West India Company (GWC) in 1637; and was used as a port for trading gold; as well as for its fleets' long voyages to Asia where the Netherlands controlled majority stakes in the spice trade; and to the Americas where the GWC shipped slaves. The Gold Coast remained in Dutch hands until 1872-4 when the British moved in and made it a Crown Colony. Ghana achieved independence in 1957.

In this oil painting; the director-general wears a bright red jacket with richly embroidered cuffs. Below his tricorn hat he wears a wig; but a long ponytail is visible and there are traces of powder on his shoulder. Pranger points to an ivory staff of office on the table; which is covered with a green cloth bearing the initials GWC鈥?Geoctrooieerde Westindische Compagnie'鈥攎eaning the Dutch West India Company. Behind him a servant waits patiently; holding a 鈥榩ajong'; a ceremonial parasol; under his arm.