Portret van Frederik Hendrik, prins van Oranje c. 1601 - 1652

This is an engraving of Frederik Hendrik, Prince of Orange, made by an anonymous artist. The print presents a formal portrait, carefully constructed to convey power and status in the Dutch Republic. The image creates meaning through the visual codes of rank: his elaborate ruff, the suggestion of armor beneath, and the Latin inscription which denotes his noble titles: Comes Nassau & Henricus Fridericus Natus. This image was made in a culture in which the geography of the Netherlands, with its many small territories, played a key role in the political structures of the Republic. Frederik Hendrik was stadtholder, a role that influenced the social structures of the time. To understand this image better, historians consult primary documents like letters, pamphlets, and official records. By looking at the image in its social and institutional context, we see how art can both reflect and shape the politics of its time.