Portret van Hugo de Groot 1657 - 1707

Hendrik Bary made this portrait of Hugo de Groot, also known as Grotius, using engraving, a printmaking technique, in the 17th century. Grotius, a towering figure of his time, was a jurist in the Dutch Republic, laying the foundations for international law with his theories. Bary's portrait captures Grotius in the attire of his office: a high, ruffled collar and formal robes. The fine lines of the engraving highlight his thoughtful expression, a face that seems to hold the weight of legal arguments and diplomatic strategies. The artwork serves as a window into the cultural values of the Dutch Golden Age, where intellect and civic duty were highly esteemed. It reflects the intersection of personal identity and public role, showing how figures like Grotius shaped, and were shaped by, the society around them. The portrait becomes a historical artifact, embodying both individual accomplishment and collective identity.