Portret van Hendrik Karel Nicolaas van der Noot 1783 - 1795

Reinier Vinkeles made this print of Hendrik Karel Nicolaas van der Noot, a key figure in the Brabant Revolution, using engraving. The portrait is framed, quite literally, by the conventions of political portraiture prevalent in the late 18th century, which were often commissioned by the sitter or their political faction. The inclusion of books, quills, and paper in the lower register alludes to Van der Noot's intellectual and political activities, reinforcing his image as a man of letters and a leader of the revolution. Understanding the role of prints in disseminating political imagery, especially during times of social upheaval, is essential. This requires us to look into the history of printmaking, the economics of image distribution, and the social networks through which these images circulated.