Portret van Filips II 1586 - 1587

This is Frans Hogenberg’s “Portret van Filips II,” made in the late 16th century. Hogenberg, a Flemish engraver, created this portrait during a period of intense religious and political conflict in the Netherlands. Philip II was King of Spain and, as such, ruler of the Netherlands. This engraving offers insight into how Philip II wished to be seen: regal and powerful. His garments indicate immense wealth and status; his face, however, betrays an anxiousness, perhaps owing to the widespread revolt against his reign. It’s impossible to look at this portrait without considering the religious persecution and oppression that defined Philip II's rule. He sought to impose Catholicism, leading to the persecution of Protestants and fueling the Dutch struggle for independence. Hogenberg, working in this tumultuous environment, couldn't help but create an image imbued with both the weight of power and the unease of a kingdom in turmoil. The portrait then becomes not just a depiction of a man, but a reflection of a society grappling with identity, faith, and the desire for freedom.