Portret van Hendrik IV, koning van Frankrijk en Navarra 1576 - 1614

This engraving is a portrait of Hendrik IV, King of France and Navarra, created by Thomas de Leu in the late 16th or early 17th century. De Leu was a master of his trade, capturing the likeness and status of his subject through the precise lines of the engraving. Hendrik IV lived in a time of religious conflict, and his identity was shaped by the intersection of politics and faith. Born a Protestant, he later converted to Catholicism to become King of France, famously stating that "Paris is worth a mass". This act of political maneuvering was not just a personal choice, but one laden with implications for a kingdom divided. Consider the weight of religious and political identity in this portrait. Hendrik's regal attire and proud bearing are carefully constructed symbols of power, yet they also hint at the personal sacrifices and compromises required to maintain that power. How does this image invite us to reflect on the complexities of leadership, especially when personal beliefs clash with public duty?