Portret van Henry Carey 1656

This is William Faithorne the Elder’s portrait of Henry Carey, made in the 17th century. As an artist and printmaker during the English Civil War, Faithorne was caught between conflicting loyalties, something that shaped both his life and work. Here, Carey’s identity as a nobleman is meticulously crafted. The flowing hair, the draped fabric, and the carefully inscribed Latin text below, all speak to his status and lineage. Yet, if we look closer, we can see the complexities of class and power reflected in the very act of portraiture. As a society that was highly stratified, the image subtly reinforces the social hierarchy, reminding viewers of Carey’s elevated position. What might it have meant to have your portrait taken at this time? How might have it shaped self-perception? Faithorne's print not only captures the likeness of a man but also embodies the intricate relationships between identity, social status, and the power of representation. The portrait asks us to consider not just who Henry Carey was, but what it meant to be seen, and how such images uphold the structures of their time.