Busteportret van Ludwika Maria Gonzaga, koningin van Polen 1628 - 1670

This is Pieter de Jode the Younger's engraving of Ludwika Maria Gonzaga, Queen of Poland, made sometime in the 17th century. The queen is framed within a bold, shadowed oval, immediately drawing the eye to her bust. De Jode uses line and form to present Gonzaga as both a powerful monarch and an elegant woman. Note how the rigid lines of the architectural frame contrast with the soft, flowing lines of her hair and dress. The sharp, vertical lines of the background drapery add height and formality, while the delicate floral patterns soften the overall effect. Gonzaga holds a globe, a symbol of sovereignty, but its curved shape and the gentle angle of her wrist introduce a sense of grace. De Jode uses visual contrasts to highlight the queen's multifaceted role. The inscription below the portrait reinforces her status, anchoring the image within a system of power and representation. This structured composition suggests how identity and power were constructed and communicated through formal portraiture.