Portret van Nicholas Lanier 1861 - 1889

This is William Unger’s engraving *Portret van Nicholas Lanier*, held at the Rijksmuseum. Unger, born in 1837, lived through a period of immense social upheaval and transformation. The art world mirrored society, as artists looked to both document and interpret the rapidly changing times. Unger’s portrait captures the likeness of Nicholas Lanier, a prominent figure in the 17th century art scene. Lanier was not only an artist, but also a musician and art collector, who served as a court musician for the British monarchy. Think about the complex intersection of art, power, and patronage during Lanier’s time. Lanier’s career was deeply enmeshed with the social hierarchies of the court, where artistic talent was intertwined with class status and political influence. How do you think portraits like this both reflected and shaped societal perceptions of identity and status in that era?