Portret van Jean-Baptiste de Blye 1652 - 1707

Gérard Edelinck made this portrait of Jean-Baptiste de Blye using engraving. Consider the weight of representation in the 17th century, when portraits served as powerful declarations of identity and social standing. De Blye, a member of the high court in Tournai, is depicted with the trappings of power: his elegant wig and fur-lined robe speak volumes about his status. The Latin inscription emphasizes his high office, and his family crest symbolizes lineage and privilege. How does Edelinck's engraving capture not just De Blye's likeness, but also the very essence of his societal role? How does the portrait serve to uphold and perpetuate the hierarchical structures of the time? The controlled lines of the engraving, the careful attention to detail in the clothing, all contribute to the construction of an image of authority. It invites us to consider the relationship between representation, power, and the individual within a specific historical context.