Portret van Jean Curtius, op 56-jarige leeftijd 1607

This engraving of Jean Curtius at the age of 56 was made in 1607 by Hieronymus Wierix. Its formal qualities place it within the wider context of the Northern Renaissance. The presence of coats of arms and Latin inscriptions suggests it was commissioned by or for an educated, wealthy elite. These visual codes point towards a culture of patronage, where artists depended on the aristocracy or the church, and where the artwork served a clear social function in expressing the sitter's status. It is likely intended to celebrate the sitter. This was a period of religious and political upheaval across Europe, so a portrait like this might also express the sitter's allegiance in those conflicts. To fully understand this artwork, one would need to delve into the social history of the period, studying the relevant family and institutional archives, and reading contemporary literature. Only then can we properly appreciate its role in the complex social and political landscape of the time.