Flandrens before 1558

Enea Vico created this print, Flandrens, in the mid-16th century using etching and engraving. It is an image that immediately prompts questions of identity and representation. The figure, presumably a person from Flanders, is entirely concealed under a draped cloth, obscuring any individual features. What does it mean to represent someone by hiding them? This anonymity invites us to consider the complexities of cultural and regional identity during a time of significant political and religious upheaval in Europe. Was Vico making a comment about cultural stereotypes? Is it a statement about the way identities can be imposed or concealed? The fur trim is a clear marker of status, and while the figure is hidden, the sumptuousness of their dress speaks volumes. The emotional impact of the image lies in this tension between concealment and display, absence and presence, forcing us to contemplate the visible and invisible aspects of identity.