Portret van koning Hendrik II van Frankrijk 1546 - 1562

Frans Huys created this engraving of King Henry II of France in the mid-16th century. The portrait, made from precisely incised lines on a copper plate, showcases the king in full armor, next to his helmet and royal crest. Huys’s artistry lies in his mastery of the burin, the tool that allowed him to translate the three-dimensional reality of metal and fabric into a graphic composition. Look closely, and you'll see the detailed rendering of the armor, reflecting the period's craftsmanship and its importance as both protection and status symbol. The king’s stance and attire underscore the era's ideals of leadership and power, demonstrating the skilled labor involved in producing the original suit of armor. Engravings like this played a crucial role in disseminating images and ideas across Europe. This portrait not only immortalizes Henry II, but also demonstrates the intersection of art, craft, and the social structures of the time.