Portret van een onbekende man 1549 - 1584

This is an engraving of an unknown man, made by an anonymous artist. We can tell from the man’s clothing and the book he is holding that he is probably an intellectual, perhaps a theologian, or a philosopher. His furrowed brow suggests a deep thinker, and the book suggests he is learned. But why wasn’t the artist named? The art world of the time was governed by institutions like guilds and academies that set standards for artists. It’s possible the artist didn’t want to be associated with the work, maybe because it didn’t meet the guild’s standards. Or, maybe the man in the portrait was a controversial figure. Art historians use a range of resources to research the social and institutional context in which art is made. By studying archives, letters, and other historical documents, we can better understand the complex relationship between art and society.