Portret van een Oostenrijkse edelman 1675 - 1750

Girard van der Bruggen’s etching, "Portret van een Oostenrijkse edelman," captures an Austrian nobleman within the rigid social hierarchies of his time. The nobleman’s powdered wig and lace collar speak volumes about wealth and status in the 17th and 18th centuries. Van der Bruggen likely made this portrait to showcase the nobleman’s lineage, aligning him with established ideals of masculinity and power. Yet, the almost ethereal rendering and delicate features soften the man’s image. It is a stark contrast to the portraits of the time, where the subjects are often depicted as strong and stoic. The elaborate coat of arms beneath him, however, reaffirms the family's heritage, and is a symbol of pride in one’s ancestry. How does this man see himself? What tensions exist between the man he wants to be and the confines of his social standing? Bruggen invites us to consider the weight of identity.