Portret van Philippe de Monte c. 1597 - 1669

Theodor de Bry made this engraving of Philippe de Monte in the late 16th century. De Monte was a famous composer, and looking at the image, we can ask how cultural institutions like music were linked to social status in his time. Engravings like this one circulated widely in Europe and helped to build the reputations of artists and musicians. De Bry, who was based in what is now Belgium, presents de Monte within an elaborate frame, surrounded by text that emphasizes his musical achievements. Note the Latin inscription, which links his music to the heavens and to divine inspiration. De Monte’s clothing and bearing also signal his position in society: his hat and formal attire mark him as a man of learning and accomplishment. To understand this image better, we can research the musical institutions of the period, as well as the social networks that sustained artistic production. The history of art reminds us that images always depend on particular social and institutional contexts for their meaning.