Portret van een jonge man 1579 - 1590

This engraving of a young man, made by Hendrick Goltzius, captures the essence of 16th-century portraiture through meticulous detail. Notice the ruff collar, a symbol of status and refinement, encircling the subject's neck. This circular form, which we can see echoes of in ancient depictions of royalty, served not only as a fashion statement but also as a visual boundary, framing the face as a focal point of identity. Similar collars can be seen on the queens, princesses, and noble women and men of the time. Yet here, the expression is not one of pride, but of introspection, engaging the viewer on a deeply personal level. It is as if the man is not a proud nobleman but an everyman with whom we can identify. These visual cues allow us to reflect on the cyclical nature of symbolism, and how Goltzius infuses traditional motifs with a contemporary sensibility, resonating with us still.