Portrait of Albert VII, Archduke of Austria 1645 - 1655

Pieter de Jode II created this engraving of Albert VII, Archduke of Austria, in the 17th century, a period when the printing press was transforming European society. This portrait, now housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, reflects the power dynamics of the time. The image is rich with visual codes. Albert's elaborate lace collar and the chain bearing the insignia of the Order of the Golden Fleece communicate his high social standing. His serious gaze and formal attire serve to project an image of authority and nobility, fitting for a ruler during the Counter-Reformation. Made in the Habsburg Netherlands, this portrait also exemplifies the role of art in reinforcing political power and propagating the values of the Catholic Church. We can research period documents, such as letters and inventories, to shed light on the print's original reception and its function in the complex web of social and institutional relationships. Looking at such details, we can begin to understand how art acts as a social artifact, embodying the beliefs, ambitions, and power structures of its time.