Portret van Maarten van Rossum te paard before 1542

Cornelis Anthonisz. created this colored woodcut of Maarten van Rossum on horseback sometime in the first half of the 16th century. Van Rossum was a notorious military commander in service of Charles of Egmond, Duke of Guelders, in a time of great political upheaval and conflict. Here, the artist depicts van Rossum in full armor, brandishing a spear, with his coat of arms displayed prominently. This portrait is not just a depiction of an individual; it's a statement about power, status, and lineage during the Renaissance. The choice to portray van Rossum on horseback is significant, evoking classical imagery of emperors. The armor, the horse, and the coat of arms all speak to van Rossum's identity as a noble and a warrior. The print reflects the values of a society deeply entrenched in feudal traditions. It invites us to consider how individuals sought to construct and assert their identities in the tumultuous world of the 16th century.