Portret van Antoine Perrenot kardinaal van Granvelle 1520 - 1567

Curator: Up next we have a striking portrait—an engraving titled "Portret van Antoine Perrenot kardinaal van Granvelle." This piece is attributed to Lambertus Suavius and dates from around 1520 to 1567, placing it firmly within the Northern Renaissance. Editor: Wow, talk about gravitas. This guy just oozes power and intellect. The detail in the lines is incredible. It feels almost photographic, even though it’s an engraving. Curator: Suavius really captured the cardinal's character, didn't he? You see the firm set of the jaw, the steady gaze... It speaks volumes about his influence. Editor: Absolutely! And the architectural backdrop—the pillars and cornice—they amplify his importance. The landscape element behind gives a nice feel, a counterpoint to the figure and also provides a little more air to the composition. Curator: The print medium allowed for wider distribution of the Cardinal's image. It's interesting how portraiture became a tool for solidifying authority during this era. And Granvelle was a key player in the Habsburg Netherlands—advisor to rulers. So imagery played an outsized political role at this time. Editor: You know, his clothes look so… restrained? Compared to, say, some more flamboyant Renaissance portraits. Maybe he wanted to project himself as an intellectual first and foremost. Although his fur collar gives it a little bit of an 'edge'. Curator: I think that touches on how Northern Renaissance portraits were very distinct from the Italian, more focused on details of character. The book he's holding obviously alludes to his learning and clerical position. The engraving process meant this image was likely disseminated fairly widely for its time. Editor: It really captures the spirit of the Northern Renaissance; there’s something serious about this piece. The shading gives him so much volume, that this work is much more striking compared to other line-art portraits of the era, a wonderful study in light. I guess even the powerful want to appear human. Curator: Well, seeing art within its socio-political context always adds a layer of understanding for me. Understanding imagery through politics lets us reflect on these works a bit differently. Editor: Yes! I love how looking at it allows a closer and imaginative dialogue, it’s interesting to learn from it as it teaches about its subjects’ character and taste.