Portrait of Anna Wake 1628

Anthony van Dyck, a Flemish artist active in England, painted this portrait of Anna Wake in oil on canvas. Van Dyck's elegant depiction tells us a great deal about the sitter’s position in English society in the early 17th century. The artist was the leading court painter, and Anna was daughter to a wealthy merchant. Details like her pearl necklace, lace collar, and elaborate sleeves speak to her family’s affluence. Highlighting the family's status, note the crest in the upper-left corner. Van Dyck’s portraits were critical in constructing and reinforcing the image of the English aristocracy. The visual codes tell us something, but what we learn from digging into the period's social history is far more interesting. Historians consult parish records, wills, ledgers, and other documents to uncover lost stories and to better understand this portrait's importance in the construction of social status.