Portret van Filips I van Castilië 1638 - 1651

Pieter de Jode the Younger created this portrait of Philip I of Castile as an engraving. Engravings like this one served a crucial function in disseminating the images of powerful figures throughout 17th-century Europe. The formal presentation of Philip, complete with his regal attire and the symbols of his authority, constructs a very clear statement about his status. The Latin inscription reinforces his lineage and titles, further legitimizing his rule. Produced in the Netherlands, this print reflects the Dutch Republic's complex relationship with the Spanish Habsburgs, of which Philip was a part. These portraits were not simply neutral likenesses, but actively shaped perceptions of power and legitimacy. The image circulated within a network of political and artistic institutions. Examining such prints allows us to explore the broader context of political imagery and its role in shaping historical narratives. Catalogues of prints and archival records can reveal the network through which such images circulated and the impact that they had.