Viglius de Lummen a Marck c. 16th century

Editor: This is a portrait of Viglius de Lummen a Marck by Crispijn de Passe, created sometime around the late 16th or early 17th century. It's an engraving, and the detail is incredible. I'm struck by the almost ghostly figures in the background. What can you tell me about this piece? Curator: Look closely at the context of the time. The figure, the ghost-like figures, the inscription…what power structures are at play here? The subject's attire and the coat of arms speak to nobility, yet there's a fragility, a vulnerability hinted at by the background figures. Consider how class and religious tensions shaped the era, and whose stories are often left untold in these portrayals. Editor: So, it's not just about depicting an individual, but about unpacking the society they lived in? Curator: Precisely. It's about interrogating the narratives of power and how they are visually constructed and reinforced. Editor: I see it now. Thanks! Curator: It's been a pleasure.