Portret van Siffrid von Collonitsch 1590 - 1611

Hans Sibmacher created this portrait of Siffrid von Collonitsch using engraving, a process in which lines are incised on a metal plate and then printed. As a visual record, portraits offer a window into the past, reflecting both the individual and the society in which they lived. Here, von Collonitsch, a military commander, is depicted with the markers of his status: elaborate armor and the high ruff collar, a symbol of aristocracy. The portrait is framed by an oval border inscribed with his titles and the date of his death. Consider the power dynamics inherent in portraiture. Who has the means to commission or create a portrait? Whose stories are told and preserved? While we see von Collonitsch’s image, what about the stories of the countless unnamed individuals who lived alongside him? This print reminds us that history is a complex narrative, shaped by those in power, and invites us to seek out the hidden stories and perspectives that lie beneath the surface.