Portret van koning Alfons II van Portugal after 1621

Cornelis Galle I created this engraving of King Afonso II of Portugal sometime between the late 16th and mid-17th centuries. Note the King’s armor and the shield bearing the Portuguese coat of arms; these are visual cues of power and authority. But what does it mean to portray a medieval king in the early modern era? Consider the political landscape of Galle’s time: Portugal had recently regained independence from Spain after decades of Habsburg rule. In this context, images of Portuguese kings served a vital function. They visually legitimized the nation's sovereignty, anchoring it in a rich historical past. The image also participated in shaping Portuguese identity, reminding the population of their distinct history and culture. As historians, we can delve deeper by exploring how prints like these were circulated and consumed. Archival records and print collections can shed light on the social and political impact of this image, helping us understand its role in shaping historical memory and national identity.