Portret van Maurits, prins van Oranje c. 1621 - 1644

This is Joannes Sarragon's portrait of Maurits, Prince of Orange, an engraving that encapsulates the political and personal identities intertwined in the Dutch Golden Age. Consider the weight of representation here; Maurits isn't merely depicted, he's strategically presented. The intricate details of his attire speak to power and status, while the Latin inscriptions frame him within a historical lineage of military leaders. How much is this image about conveying his individual self versus solidifying his position within the complex socio-political landscape of the time? Princes like Maurits were central figures in shaping the cultural and political identity of the Netherlands. What does it mean to construct and convey authority through portraiture? This image presents a complex figure navigating the intersections of power, lineage, and personal identity in a formative period of Dutch history.