Portret van Maximiliaan, Graaf van Buren 1650 - 1695

Gaspar Bouttats created this portrait of Maximiliaan, Count of Buren, sometime in the late 17th century using etching techniques. The print is more than just a likeness; it’s a carefully constructed image designed to convey the Count's status and virtues within the rigid social hierarchy of the Dutch Republic. The elaborate allegorical frame, featuring classical figures and symbols, speaks to the cultural values of the time. Note how the Countess's virtues and lineage are presented through these visual codes, reflecting the importance of family and nobility in Dutch society. This imagery serves to legitimize the Count's position and reinforce the prevailing social order. To fully understand this work, we can consult genealogical records, historical accounts of the Buren family, and studies of Dutch aristocratic culture. By examining the social and institutional context in which this print was made, we gain a deeper understanding of its meaning and significance.