Portret van keizer Balbinus 1557 - 1559

Joos Gietleughen made this engraving of Emperor Balbinus in the Netherlands. In the absence of a precise date, we can still situate this image within a broader social and cultural context. Its visual language of classical antiquity reflects the humanist culture of the 16th and 17th centuries. During this period, there was a renewed interest in the art and literature of ancient Greece and Rome, which served as a source of inspiration for artists and intellectuals alike. This interest in the classical past was linked to the rise of European universities and museums which sought to recover and preserve this classical heritage. Engravings such as this one played a role in circulating these classical images more widely. As an art historian, my work involves delving into archives and libraries, as well as considering the institutional settings in which the image was produced and consumed.