Portret van Salomon de Bray 1664

Dirck de Bray created this portrait of Salomon de Bray in 1664 using engraving techniques. In the 17th century, the Dutch Golden Age was in full bloom, marked by unprecedented economic prosperity and cultural flourishing. Here, Dirck portrays his father, Salomon, a prominent figure in Haarlem as both a painter and an architect. Consider the weight of familial legacy and artistic identity as you examine this piece. Dirck, working within a society that often valued lineage, presents his father not merely as an individual but as a standard-bearer of artistic and intellectual tradition. The lines etched into the plate capture not just Salomon’s likeness but also hint at his character and status. In this image, we see the artist's attempt to immortalize his father, while grappling with his own identity within that shadow.