Portret van Octave de Ligne, prins van Arenberg 1650 - 1670

Cornelis Meyssens created this engraving, *Portrait of Octave de Ligne, Prince of Arenberg*, sometime in the mid-17th century. It captures Octave within the conventions of aristocratic portraiture of the period. The image is more than a likeness; it's a carefully constructed representation of power and status. Octave's clothing, his armor, and even his long, flowing hair, speak to a life of privilege and authority. Yet, in his gaze, there is a hint of vulnerability, or perhaps just the weight of responsibility. The cultural context of the 17th century, with its rigid social hierarchies and expectations, shaped not only Octave's life but also how he wanted to be seen. Meyssens’ portrait immortalizes a man and the complex interplay of identity, class, and personal expression. The engraving invites us to reflect on the personal cost of power and the narratives we construct to define ourselves.