Hieronymus van Tuyll van Serooskerken, raadsheer van Filips II 1558

Editor: This is a metal relief, created in 1558 by Steven Cornelisz van Herwijck. It portrays Hieronymus van Tuyll van Serooskerken. It strikes me as a very formal, almost severe, depiction. What do you see in this piece beyond a portrait of a 16th-century official? Curator: I see power dynamics at play, rendered in a period of intense religious and political upheaval. It’s not merely a likeness, but a carefully constructed assertion of status, wealth, and the consolidation of male authority within a highly patriarchal system. Note how the profile avoids direct eye contact; what does that say to you about authority, and perhaps even a kind of controlled anxiety in the face of socio-political change? Editor: So the averted gaze isn't simply a stylistic choice of the time? Curator: Possibly not, considering the context. Think about the figure on the reverse, “Spiritus Hos Regit Artus,” implying divine guidance in earthly affairs. Consider the role of religious imagery in validating secular power, a practice steeped in political ideology and the negotiation of authority during the Renaissance. How might these depictions challenge or uphold prevailing gender roles and societal norms? Editor: That reframing is very insightful. The official’s self-representation seems less about personal identity and more about projecting an image of unquestionable authority within a complex power structure. Curator: Exactly! It is not just about the individual but the historical moment and societal frameworks. Art becomes a powerful tool for understanding these intricacies. Editor: I see how reading art through a lens of power and gender structures unveils its deeper cultural relevance. Thank you. Curator: The pleasure is mine. Always question the seemingly obvious!