Portret van prinses Isabella te paard 1535 - 1540

Editor: This print, "Portret van prinses Isabella te paard" or "Portrait of Princess Isabella on Horseback" by Cornelis Anthonisz. dates back to between 1535 and 1540. It's currently held at the Rijksmuseum. The whole piece has an air of quiet dignity, maybe a bit stiff? What strikes you most when you look at this? Curator: Oh, Isabella! It's like stepping back into a storybook, isn't it? When I see her, I’m drawn to how deliberately constructed this image is. Not a hair out of place, literally. It speaks of power, of dynasty… Did you notice the text above her head? Like a label ensuring everyone knew exactly who they were looking at. Do you feel any tension between that almost propagandistic presentation and her own expression? Editor: I do, now that you mention it! She seems... reserved. Like she's aware she’s being presented in a specific light. It feels almost…performative, for lack of a better word. Curator: Exactly! And the horse too. Think of all the symbolism inherent in equestrian portraits from this era. It's all about control, projecting strength. It makes me think about her future. How different this perfect image probably was to the actual experience of being a Renaissance princess! The picture screams Northern Renaissance! Do you notice that by anything else besides the language used in the text at the top of the page? Editor: Now I recognize how much the composition really emphasizes not only her position and power, but also this kind of careful intentionality of every single object inside the picture! Curator: Right? This image reminds us that even portraits contain many narratives—some obvious, some hidden. Art invites questions as much as answers, don’t you agree?