Gezicht op het kasteel van Vilvoorde 1659

Lucas Vorsterman the Younger made this print of Vilvoorde Castle using etching in the mid-17th century. In this bird’s eye view, we see the castle surrounded by trees and water, with two heraldic crests placed in the top corners of the image. Prints like this were often commissioned by or made for those in positions of power. Here, Vorsterman uses symbolic language of heraldry and the visual language of perspective to emphasize the power of the castle and, by extension, the elite class it represents. Vilvoorde in that period was under the rule of the Spanish Netherlands, which was a complex political entity. Was Vorsterman making a pro-Spanish statement with this print, or appealing to local sentiments? To understand this print more fully, we can consult historical archives to learn about the social and political context of Vilvoorde and consider the artist's biography and possible patrons. These factors help us interpret the work and its place in the history of social and institutional power.