Portret van Ferdinand van Oostenrijk 1613 - 1656

This is a portrait of Ferdinand van Oostenrijk, made by Cornelis Danckerts the Elder, sometime in the first half of the 17th century. It's an engraving, a medium that allowed for the wide distribution of images, serving a function similar to today's mass media. Ferdinand, as the inscription tells us, was a prince of Spain, an Archduke of Austria, a Cardinal, and Governor of the Netherlands and Burgundy. This image, therefore, serves as a piece of political propaganda. Consider the visual codes at play: the aristocratic finery, the sword, the baton, and the carefully cultivated facial hair all reinforce Ferdinand's authority. The elegant oval frame further elevates him, setting him apart. To understand this image better, we can turn to historical sources like diplomatic correspondence, political pamphlets, and even fashion plates of the time. These resources help us understand the social conditions that shaped both the production and reception of this portrait, and the role it played in the complex political landscape of 17th-century Europe.