Allegorical Portrait of Count Tassis illustration from Jean Jacques Chifflet, Les marques d'honneur de la Maison de Tassis (Antwerp, 1645) 1645

Cornelis Galle I made this illustration of Count Tassis in Antwerp in 1645 for Jean Jacques Chifflet's book about the Tassis family. It exemplifies the use of art to reinforce social hierarchy. The image showcases the Count in full armor, accompanied by lions, symbols of courage and nobility. Architectural elements and heraldic emblems create a backdrop that reinforces the Count’s status. Galle uses visual codes to construct Tassis's identity as a noble figure, emphasizing lineage and authority. During the 17th century, families such as the Tassis commissioned artwork to broadcast their power. The Tassis family was responsible for postal services throughout the Holy Roman Empire. This image acts as a form of self-promotion, reinforcing their dominance through carefully constructed imagery. To fully understand this artwork, one can explore the history of the Tassis family and the role of heraldry in early modern Europe. Such research illuminates the complex interplay between art, power, and social status.