Portretten van Hans Sebald Beham, Lucas Cranach I en Gerard de Jode 1764

This print portraying Hans Sebald Beham, Lucas Cranach I, and Gerard de Jode was made by Jan l'Admiral in the 18th century. Prints like these were often commissioned by institutions and private collectors alike. They catered to the growing interest in artistic lineages and historical precedents. Note how each artist is framed in a different way: curtained above, circular to the left. This speaks to the different means by which artists sought patronage. Made in the Netherlands, a region with a rich artistic heritage and a burgeoning art market at the time, this print reflects the cultural values placed on artistic tradition and the commodification of art. The careful depiction of each artist signals the importance of their individual contributions to the development of art history, as well as the role of the art market and institutions in preserving and promoting their legacies. Historical resources, such as archival records, correspondence, and contemporary art criticism, are invaluable in understanding the social and institutional contexts in which art is made and received.