Portret van Maurits, prins van Oranje 1623

This is Andries Stock's portrait of Maurits, Prince of Orange, rendered through the detailed art of engraving. The eye is immediately drawn to the intricate patterning, the textures rendered with incredible precision. Note how these visual elements might suggest power and authority, yet there is also an inherent flatness to the image, a quality of the graphic arts. The patterns and lines here, are not merely decorative, but structural. They define the form and convey depth, even as they flatten the image. This tension between depth and surface is central to understanding this piece. Consider how the composition is constructed, with Maurits centrally positioned, flanked by symbols of his status. Ultimately, Stock's print engages with the evolving notions of representation and the power of images in shaping public perception. The artwork prompts us to question how such portraits functioned within a cultural and political landscape increasingly mediated by printed images.