Albert van der Helle 1538

This is a 1538 engraving of Albert van der Helle by the German artist Heinrich Aldegrever. It is made from ink on paper. Engravings like this served an important social function in Northern Europe at this time. They helped to consolidate status. By commissioning and distributing their portraits, members of the rising merchant class could broadcast their success. Notice the attention to the details of Albert’s clothing: his hat, beard and patterned robe. These are all visual signs of his status. The text at the bottom even states his age in Latin! Prints like this also helped to form a collective cultural identity, creating a sense of shared values through visual representation. We can learn a lot about this period by studying account books, letters, and other archival sources. The meaning of this work is not simply in the image, but in its social life.