Zelfportret van Anthony van Dyck 1650 - 1800

This is an engraving of a self-portrait of Anthony van Dyck, currently held at the Rijksmuseum. While the artist who made this engraving is anonymous, its subject offers insight into the status of artists in the 17th century. Van Dyck's self-portrait presents the artist as a cultivated gentleman. This was made possible by the new art markets and institutions that began to emerge during the late Renaissance, in which artists could be elevated from craftsmen to the level of intellectual elites. The lace collar, fashionable mustache, and elegant garb are meant to convey his sophistication and success. He even wears a piece of armor to convey strength and nobility. As art historians, we examine paintings, prints, and drawings like this alongside historical documents and cultural artifacts to better understand the society that produced them, and what role art played in shaping the culture.