Portret van George Villiers 1741 - 1743

This is Jacob Houbraken’s engraving of George Villiers, made in the Netherlands in the 18th century. Engravings like this one served a vital public role in disseminating images of power and celebrity across Europe. George Villiers, the first Duke of Buckingham, was a controversial figure in the English court. He rose to prominence as a favorite of King James I and later wielded considerable influence under Charles I. His career was mired in scandal and political intrigue. His perceived corruption and incompetence fueled public discontent and ultimately contributed to the tensions that led to the English Civil War. Houbraken, though Dutch, was part of a transatlantic print culture. The images of political and cultural figures he made found an audience in Britain and its colonies. The Rijksmuseum’s holdings and other archives offer insights into the production, distribution, and reception of such prints, allowing us to understand the complex interplay of art, politics, and society in the early modern world.