Portret van Hendrik II van Frankrijk te paard after 1538

Cornelis Anthonisz. created this print, "Portrait of Henry II of France on Horseback," in the 16th century. Here we see Henry II, adorned in armor, mounted regally on horseback; emblems of French royalty, like the fleur-de-lis and crown, surround him. During the Renaissance, portraiture served as a powerful tool for projecting authority, reinforcing social hierarchies, and shaping collective memory. In a patriarchal society, the image of a male ruler on horseback was especially potent, symbolizing military strength and control. However, it is essential to acknowledge the lives and labor of those who were excluded from this picture of power. Where are the farmers, servants, and artisans whose work underpinned the opulence on display? This portrait invites us to reflect on the complexities of power and representation in the Renaissance. It compels us to consider whose stories are told and whose are left out.