Portrait of Frank van Borselen, Lord of Sint Maartensdijk and Stadtholder of Holland, fourth Husband of Jacoba of Bavaria, Countess of Holland and Zeeland (Jacqueline, Countess of Hainaut) after 1480

This is an anonymous portrait of Frank van Borselen, made with oil on panel. The painting employs a formal structure typical of its time, yet its composition invites us to consider notions of power and representation. The subject is positioned centrally against a dark background, drawing immediate focus. The stark contrast between the red headdress and the sombre black attire not only highlights his status but also creates a visual tension, destabilizing the conventional solemnity of portraiture. The heraldic symbols in the background function as signs, embedding the painting within a semiotic system of nobility and lineage. However, the somewhat crude execution of these symbols, contrasts with the fine detailing of Frank's face and attire, disrupting any straightforward interpretation of inherited status. Is the artist subtly questioning the value of inherited status versus earned respect? This tension between visual elements invites ongoing interpretation.