Vrouw uit Vlaanderen, wijde mantel over het hoofd. 1569

This image, held at the Rijksmuseum, is a print by Ferando Bertelli depicting a woman from Flanders, her head covered by a wide mantle. The formal composition is dominated by the draped figure, which almost entirely obscures any individual features, creating an anonymous, monumental form. Notice the use of line and texture. Bertelli employs fine, precise lines to delineate the folds of the mantle, creating a sense of depth and volume, and the fur trim adds a tactile quality, contrasting with the smoother fabric above. The figure’s anonymity invites us to consider the broader cultural implications of representation and identity. The woman becomes an emblem of Flemish identity rather than an individual. Bertelli uses visual elements to evoke absence and presence, inviting the viewer to contemplate the interplay between appearance, identity, and cultural meaning. This print challenges traditional notions of portraiture, pushing beyond mere likeness to explore deeper, more abstract ideas about personhood and representation.