Mansbuste in ovaal 1630 - 1670

Nicolas Regnesson created this engraving, "Mansbuste in ovaal," in the 17th century, a period marked by rigid social hierarchies and emerging bourgeois identity. The portrait, encased in an oval frame, presents us with a man of apparent status, evinced by his attire and the heraldic emblem below. Yet, the gaze is somewhat averted, the expression not overtly commanding. This subtle negotiation between representation and selfhood hints at the complexities of identity during this era. The choice of engraving, a medium capable of mass production, suggests a desire to disseminate this image and, by extension, the values it embodies, across a broader audience. Consider the emotional weight of representation, of being seen, and how this image might have shaped or challenged perceptions of masculinity and social standing in its time. This portrait is not just an image but an assertion of place within the intricate social fabric of 17th-century society.