Portrait of Orlando di Lasso c. 17th century

Daniel de Blieck’s portrait of Orlando di Lasso is a delicate drawing on paper, now held at The Art Institute of Chicago. Portraits like this one offer a glimpse into the cultural dynamics of the time, probably the 17th century in the Netherlands. The image creates meaning through the visual codes of status and profession. Lasso’s attire speaks to his position within society. Such portraits were part of a broader visual culture that helped to solidify social hierarchies. To understand this work better, we might research the costume and fashion of the sitter, and the status of musicians in this period. By examining these visual and social cues, we start to understand how art is embedded in the social and institutional contexts of its time. We can learn more about the ways that art both reflected and shaped the social norms of its time.