Portret van Ernst Casimir, graaf van Nassau-Dietz 1622

Curator: Good morning. Today, we're looking at a remarkable print held here at the Rijksmuseum: Pieter Feddes van Harlingen's 1622 "Portret van Ernst Casimir, graaf van Nassau-Dietz." It offers a fascinating glimpse into the visual culture surrounding Dutch aristocracy in the early 17th century. Editor: Well, my first thought? That’s a whole lotta metal! He looks positively encased, like an armadillo crossed with a dignitary. A bit…intense, perhaps? Curator: Indeed. Such portraiture served specific purposes. Ernst Casimir was a significant military figure, governor of Friesland. The armor emphasizes his power, status, and readiness to defend the realm. Editor: Right, it’s pure theatre, isn't it? Makes you wonder how comfortable he actually was in that get-up, all puffed up like a startled pigeon. And that little lace collar…such a contrast! Curator: Absolutely, the attire projects authority but it is worth examining in context: printed portraits disseminated ideals. Prints like these served political and social functions; consider who this was for, not only who it was of. Editor: Okay, okay, so it’s propaganda…but beautifully rendered propaganda, wouldn't you say? Look at the detail in the metal, that's light bouncing off it so deftly. And there’s a sensitive sketchiness too – the face has character. Curator: Agreed. Van Harlingen’s skill as a printmaker is undeniable. And remember, this was a time when printed images were vital for spreading information and building reputations. Portraits became powerful political tools. The heraldry above his shoulder confirms his lineage, reinforcing legitimacy and legacy. Editor: Makes you think about how we “curate” our own image now, online. Different armour, different battles, same game perhaps? Curator: A compelling point! While societal mechanics may echo across time, each generation reinvents them to fit their unique socio-political circumstances. We still use imagery strategically, crafting public personas—digital armor for the modern age, as you put it. Editor: Exactly. Ernst Casimir: a seventeenth-century influencer, perhaps? Food for thought! Curator: Indeed. It's always rewarding to see history resonating across the centuries and inviting us to consider our present with fresh eyes.