Portret van Lambert Lombard 1682

Edme de Boulonois created this print, “Portret van Lambert Lombard,” using etching. The portrait captures Lambert Lombard, a Renaissance artist from Liège, draped in a fur-lined cloak. Boulonois made this etching to commemorate Lombard; it stands as a testament to the cultural reverence for artists during this era, illustrating the rising status of individuals recognized for their creative genius. Lombard’s gaze is thoughtful; his identity is carefully constructed through the visual language of status and intellect. Yet, we can also consider the relationship between artist and sitter. How might Lombard's own sense of identity shape the way Boulonois chose to represent him? The symbolism embedded in the portrait invites us to consider the intricate web of influences, self-perceptions, and societal expectations that defined identity during the Renaissance.