Portret van koning Peter I van Portugal 1621

Cornelis Galle I created this engraving of King Peter I of Portugal during a time when portraiture was often used to solidify power and construct legacies. Galle, living in the Dutch Republic, would have been acutely aware of how images could shape perceptions of leadership and national identity. Here, Peter is presented in armor, a crown perched atop his head, embodying the archetype of a strong, almost mythic ruler. Yet, looking closer, the subtle lines etched by Galle convey a sense of the human behind the royal facade. This tension between the constructed image of power and the vulnerability of the individual invites us to consider the weight of leadership and the personal sacrifices it demands. Portraits such as this remind us that even those in positions of authority are complex individuals shaped by their own experiences and the expectations of their time.