Portret van Hendrick (I) Hondius 1622 - 1661

This portrait of Hendrick Hondius, an engraver and cartographer, was made by Frederik Bouttats, another engraver, sometime in the early to mid-17th century. At this time, the printing press had enabled an explosion of images, and engravings like this one played a crucial role in circulating knowledge and shaping public perception. Hendrick Hondius is depicted as a man of science and learning, holding drafting tools, set against a backdrop that suggests both his connection to the natural world and his mastery over it through cartography. Hondius came from a family of artists and mapmakers, his work helped to map the world and reflected the era’s expansion of trade and colonization. Engravings were more than just illustrations; they were tools of power, defining territories and shaping narratives about the world and its people. This portrait captures a pivotal moment when art, science, and commerce converged to expand European influence globally.