Portret van Isabella Clara Eugenia, infante van Spanje 1630 - 1646

This is Lucas Vorsterman’s portrait of Isabella Clara Eugenia, Infanta of Spain, made as an engraving. Isabella, daughter of Phillip II of Spain, was a powerful woman in her own right, especially after her husband’s death when she became the governor of the Netherlands. Here, Vorsterman depicts her in widow’s garb, her somber dress indicative of her piety, and her status. The starkness of the black and white medium, combined with Isabella’s unadorned visage, offers an austere and contemplative atmosphere. In portraits of powerful women, we often see a performance of piety, with a display of humility and restraint, which can obscure the intricacies of a figure like Isabella. She navigated the complexities of religion, politics, and gender, during a tumultuous period in European history. Consider the interplay between her public image and personal identity as you view this portrait; it prompts us to reflect on the multifaceted nature of historical figures and their enduring impact.