Portret van Hendrik van Varick 1628 - 1670

This is Pieter de Jode the Younger’s engraving of Hendrik van Varick. De Jode, born in Antwerp, excelled in portrait engravings and prints, contributing to the city's artistic reputation during a period of political and religious conflict. Hendrik van Varick, as the inscription tells us, held noble titles such as Viscount of Brussels and was on the council of war. The portrait reflects the sitter's status and power within the societal structures of the time. The artist has emphasized Van Varick's clothing and bearing, illustrating his place within the hierarchy of 17th-century society. Consider the emotional landscape of this era, rife with tensions between religious and political factions. Van Varick, as a member of the war council, was at the heart of these conflicts. De Jode's image becomes a lens through which we can examine the impact of identity, power, and history on the individual.