Portret van Ernst Casimir, graaf van Nassau-Dietz 1615 - 1616

This is an engraving of Ernst Casimir, Count of Nassau-Dietz, made by an anonymous artist. During the 17th century, portraiture was more than mere representation; it was a declaration of status and power. Casimir, encased in armor and encircled by his titles, embodies the expectations of his class. Yet, look closer at the image; there's a human quality that transcends the formal representation. His eyes, though fixed, seem to carry a trace of vulnerability. Consider how the weight of leadership and lineage might shape a person's identity. Does this portrait capture the man, or the myth? It invites us to reflect on the tension between public persona and private self. The artist compels us to see beyond the trappings of nobility and connect with the individual within.