Reproductie van een gravure van een portret van Willem Key door Hendrick Hondius before 1877

This is a reproduction print made by Joseph Maes in the 19th century of a 17th-century engraving of Willem Key. The original engraving was part of a series of artist portraits by Hendrik Hondius. What does it mean to represent an artist? The image shows Key holding his palette and brushes, in the act of painting a portrait we can glimpse in the background. This is intended to capture the essence of the artist's identity. In the 17th century, prints were increasingly important for disseminating images and establishing artistic reputations. The genre of the artist portrait became closely tied to the development of art academies and the idea of artistic genius. This reproduction reminds us that the images we see in museums and galleries have a complex history. Art historical research helps us understand the changing social status of the artist.