Portret van Wolfgang Willem van de Palts-Neuburg 1630 - 1646

This engraving, made by Lucas Vorsterman I, captures Wolfgang Wilhelm, a prominent figure of his time, in a style that speaks volumes about power and status in the 17th century. The image creates meaning through the visual codes of the period. Wolfgang Wilhelm is adorned in armor, a symbol of military might, and wears a chain denoting his nobility. The very act of commissioning and disseminating such a portrait underscores the subject’s desire to project authority. Produced in the cultural milieu of the Dutch Golden Age, this work reflects the period's preoccupation with status and legacy. The subject's titles are prominently displayed at the bottom of the print. We can use genealogical records to study the relationship between image-making and social status. As historians, we can research Vorsterman and van Dyck’s networks, the patronage system, and the circulation of such images to understand the complex interplay between art, power, and society.