Portret van Jane Bickerton hertogin van Norfolk 1681

This print portrays Jane Bickerton, Duchess of Norfolk, and was made by Richard Collin in the latter half of the 17th century. The conventions of portraiture in England at this time tended to reinforce social hierarchies. Note how the Duchess is presented within an oval frame, itself adorned with laurel leaves symbolizing status and victory. Below, the heraldic shield displays her noble lineage and marriage ties, reinforcing her position within the aristocracy. Collin's print serves not only as a record but also as a statement of the Duchess's identity and place within the rigid English social structure. Historians consult a wide range of sources to understand works like these, from family records and estate papers to studies of fashion and heraldry, all of which help to build a richer understanding of the social world in which it was made.