Portret van koning Hendrik IV van Frankrijk 1598 - 1602

This is Hendrick Goltzius’s portrait of King Henry IV of France, an engraving which captures the king in a moment of poised authority. The composition centers on the king's upper body, framed by an elaborate ruff, regal fur mantle, and heavy chain, all rendered with meticulous detail. The textures are palpable; from the softness of the fur to the intricate folds of the ruff, Goltzius masterfully uses line and shadow. The king's gaze is direct. His presence is heightened by the contrast between the ornate attire and the subtle, almost human expression on his face. This contrast invites us to consider how power is constructed through representation. Goltzius uses the semiotic language of clothing and ornamentation to convey status, but the king's expression hints at a more complex, perhaps even vulnerable, individual. Consider the frame, or rather the absence of one, and how it challenges the notion of fixed meanings. Goltzius’s portrait destabilizes established meanings as it invites ongoing interpretation.