Portrait of Baudoin of Burgundy 1528

Mabuse painted this portrait of Baudoin of Burgundy with oil on wood. It depicts a member of the Burgundian aristocracy at a time when that group sought to consolidate its power in the Low Countries. The portrait is full of the trappings of wealth and power: luxurious fabrics, intricate gold jewelry, and a somber, commanding gaze. These are the visual codes of nobility in the early 16th century. Consider too the institution of court portraiture during this period. Aristocrats would strategically deploy their images in order to project power and prestige, and also to cement alliances through gifts of portraits. Art historians have shown how the Burgundian court was deeply concerned with appearances, as well as the way that those appearances were in turn memorialized in art and culture. To study this painting, researchers have looked at court records and inventories, which offer insight into the world of the Burgundian aristocracy. Through this image, we can come to understand more about the social and institutional forces that shaped the art of the past.