Portret van Paulus Emilius Possibly 1642 - 1654

This is Salomon Savery's engraving "Portret van Paulus Emilius," created in the Dutch Republic during the 17th century. It captures Paulus Emilius, a man of African descent, with dignity and poise. During this period, the Dutch Republic was a major player in the transatlantic slave trade. This print raises critical questions about race, representation, and the complex social hierarchies of the time. It invites us to consider how the artist navigated these issues, and how Emilius himself asserted his identity within this context. The choice to portray Emilius, a Black man, in a style typically reserved for the European elite, challenges traditional notions of power and status. Consider Emilius's gaze; does it meet our expectations, or does it offer something more complex? How does this image contribute to or challenge the narratives of race and identity that persist today?