Portret van Filips II van Spanje 1760

Jean Jacques Flipart made this print of Philip II of Spain. Looking at this image, we must consider the politics of portraiture, specifically how images of rulers are used to project authority. Flipart made this engraving in the 18th century, but Philip II ruled Spain during the 16th. So why create this image so long after his reign? The answer lies in the world of collecting. The image includes an elaborate coat of arms and identifies Philip as the 31st Count of Holland. Collectors in the 1700s often arranged prints like this in albums to represent a particular history or lineage. Therefore, the artist probably made this image to be included in a collection, rather than as a comment on Philip himself. Understanding an image like this requires us to explore archives, libraries, and other collections. By considering the history of collecting, we learn how institutions create and shape the meaning of art.