Portret van Eugenius van Savoye 1706 - 1713

Pieter Schenk created this portrait of Eugenius van Savoye using mezzotint, a printmaking technique, sometime between 1660 and 1711. Van Savoye, an aristocrat and military leader, is depicted here as a figure of power and prestige, embodying the ideals of the European elite during an era of dynastic rivalries. The portrait offers insight into the construction of identity through dress and representation. Van Savoye's attire, complete with a feathered hat and decorative armor, signifies his status and military achievements, but also points to the performance of masculinity expected of leaders at the time. Consider how portraits like this not only capture likeness but also actively shape perceptions, reinforcing existing power structures. As we reflect on this image, we might contemplate the role of portraiture in celebrating and perpetuating historical narratives, and the emotional distance it creates between the viewer and the subject.