Portret van Matthias van Oostenrijk c. 1581 - 1585

This is a portrait of Matthias of Austria, made by Frans Hogenberg in the late 16th century. Hogenberg, who was from Mechelen, then part of the Spanish Netherlands, made this engraving during a turbulent period. Matthias was appointed Governor-General of the Netherlands by the rebel states in 1578, in defiance of Spanish rule. The inscription around the portrait celebrates this title, underscoring the image's function as a piece of political propaganda, designed to promote Matthias's authority. The print’s clean lines and formal composition serve to legitimize the sitter. Note the classical bust format which associates Matthias with the dignity of Roman emperors. Consider the institutional context, too. Prints like these circulated widely, shaping public opinion and contributing to the formation of national identities. Historians consult a range of sources – letters, pamphlets, and official records – to understand the complex interplay of art, politics, and society in this period. In doing so, we can reveal how images like this one played a crucial role in shaping the course of history.