Portrait of Everhard van Reyd, Councillor of William, Prince of Orange 1602

This engraving of Everhard van Reyd, Councillor of William, Prince of Orange, was made in 1602 by Jan Muller. The image encapsulates the political and religious tensions of the Dutch Golden Age. Van Reyd served as councillor to William of Orange, a leader of the Dutch Revolt against Spanish rule. This image would have served to bolster the propaganda campaign and legitimize the revolt. The austere style and prominent display of Van Reyd's title signals his authority and commitment to the Dutch cause. Consider how the printing press allowed the mass reproduction of images such as this one, enabling the dissemination of political ideas and the construction of national identity during this formative period. The added text emphasizes his legacy: 'he writes what should be written, and he writes who should do it’. To fully appreciate this image, further research into the history of the Dutch Revolt, the role of William of Orange, and the development of print culture in the Netherlands would be invaluable.