Portret van Tommaso Francesco van Savoye 1628 - 1670

Editor: Here we have Pieter de Jode the Younger's engraving, "Portret van Tommaso Francesco van Savoye," created sometime between 1628 and 1670. It’s currently housed in the Rijksmuseum. There is something strikingly formal, yet a little unsettling, about the portrait… the sitter seems self-aware, almost confrontational. What stands out to you as a historian when you look at this engraving? Curator: It's important to consider that this image doesn't just represent an individual, but also reinforces dynastic power. Notice the armor; it’s not simply clothing, but a symbol of military authority, something vital for a prince of Savoy during a period of constant European conflict. The framing of the image also demands investigation – why the elaborate oval border, almost like a window onto a staged performance? How do you see the theatricality functioning within the image? Editor: That’s interesting. The "window" does give it a sense of spectacle, and the subject’s gaze seems calculated, as though aware of an audience. Perhaps this wasn't just a likeness but a piece of political communication. Curator: Precisely. Engravings like these were often disseminated widely, performing as a form of early modern public relations. Consider, too, the role the Rijksmuseum itself plays in perpetuating these narratives today by acquiring, preserving, and showcasing works such as this, contributing to a particular reading of history. Editor: So, the museum itself influences how we interpret the art. Curator: Indeed! Every act of selection and presentation is a historical argument. It also points at how Baroque imagery, even in portraiture, sought to project power and influence on a broad scale. Editor: That really changes my perspective. I hadn’t considered the engraving’s wider societal role or the museum’s active part in shaping these stories. Thank you. Curator: It’s been enlightening for me as well! Looking at the piece together underscores the complicated relationships between art, power, and institutions across time.