Portret van William Camden c. 1597 - 1669

This is Theodor de Bry’s portrait of William Camden. A historian and antiquarian, Camden occupies a prominent position here, literally framed as the ‘British Historian’. Consider the weight of the book he holds; perhaps it contains some of Britain's history. Camden’s identity is carefully constructed. His attire speaks to his social standing as a man of letters. His gaze, though direct, seems to hold a certain reserve, inviting curiosity but maintaining a dignified distance. This image also subtly reflects the complex relationship between the individual and national identity during the early modern period. Camden’s work sought to define a coherent British history, yet it also navigated the intricacies of regional and cultural differences within the British Isles. His portrait then, is not just of a man, but of a nation in the making.