Portret van Guillaume de Blasere 1633

This is Crispijn van de Passe II’s engraving of “Portret van Guillaume de Blasere” made in the 17th century in the Netherlands. Van de Passe’s print provides us with insight into the rigid hierarchies of 17th century Dutch society. The elaborate lace collar and rich fabrics worn by de Blasere signal his status and wealth, while the family crest prominently displayed at the bottom further reinforces his noble lineage. It's a performance of identity, carefully constructed and visually communicated. As such, this image asks us to consider not only who de Blasere was, but how he wished to be seen. At the time, Dutch society was undergoing significant transformations, shaped by burgeoning trade and colonialism, and the move to portray oneself in a way that communicated status was a way for the bourgeois to claim their place in a changing world. The engraving thus serves as a historical marker, reflecting the intricate dance between individual ambition and collective identity.