Portret van Filips de Schone, hertog van Bourgondië 1578

Philips Galle created this print of Philip the Fair, Duke of Burgundy sometime between 1550 and 1600. The image presents Philip in full military regalia, complete with crown, sword, and shield. It is an example of the ways in which the images of royalty were carefully constructed to convey power. This print was made in the Netherlands, a region with a complex relationship to its rulers in the 16th century. The region was part of the Habsburg Empire, and while the aristocracy enjoyed the privileges of nobility, there was growing resentment toward centralized rule and heavy taxation. Galle’s print presents Philip as a strong, authoritative figure, but the reality of the Duke of Burgundy's rule was much more complex. As an art historian, I can use a wide range of resources to understand the history of this image. By studying the print and the historical context in which it was made, we can better understand the social and political forces that shaped its creation.