Portret van Jan Matthijsz before 1608

This print, "Portret van Jan Matthijsz," was made by Christoffel van Sichem I in the late 16th or early 17th century. Immediately striking is the stark contrast between the detailed portrait of Jan Matthijsz and the dense, surrounding text. The figure is rendered with meticulous lines, capturing a sense of gravity and presence. The composition is divided, with the subject set against a backdrop that includes a scene of upheaval. A book lies on the table in front of him. The texture, achieved through careful engraving, adds depth to his garments and face, contrasting with the flatness of the printed word. The dominance of text is a crucial formal element. It challenges a purely aesthetic reading, pushing the viewer to consider the historical and ideological context. The combination of image and text invites interpretation, suggesting the subject’s life and times as part of a broader narrative, blurring the line between portraiture and historical document.