Portret van Margaretha van Parma 1567 - 1590

Frans Hogenberg created this engraving of Margaretha van Parma in the Netherlands around 1575. The print depicts Margaretha as a powerful, yet pious leader. The formal elements of dress, pearls and ruffled collar, situate her within a noble class, while the Latin text around the portrait identifies her role as Governor. Looking at this image, it’s impossible to separate it from the complex political situation in the Netherlands at the time. As Governor, Margaretha was tasked with enforcing Phillip II’s policies, which were often at odds with the desires of the local population. This portrait then, would have been read in relationship to a broader visual culture. The historian can interpret the significance of this image by looking into archives, libraries, and other collections to understand the world in which it was created. The meaning of this portrait is contingent on its original social and institutional context.