Portret van Bernhard Albrecht op 65-jarige leeftijd 1634 - 1699

This is an engraving of Bernhard Albrecht at the age of 65, made in 1633 by an anonymous artist. During this period, portraiture served to immortalize individuals, reinforcing social hierarchies and cultural values. Albrecht, identified as a pastor, is depicted holding a book, his index finger raised, perhaps caught mid-sentence, in sermon. The portrait is as much about status as it is about Albrecht the man. Consider how clothing, pose, and even Albrecht's aging features, are employed to communicate power and wisdom. Portraits like this one offer a window into understanding identity in the 17th century. It makes me think about who has historically had the power to be remembered, and how those memories are constructed. This image speaks to the complex relationship between representation, identity, and power, and how the stories we tell about ourselves and others shape our understanding of the world.