Portret van de dichter Jan Baptista van der Noot 1550 - 1599

Isaac Duchemin created this engraving of the poet Jan Baptista van der Noot. The laurel wreath crowns the poet, referencing classical antiquity and suggesting literary prowess. This image was made in the Netherlands, at a time when printmaking was developing as a popular medium. It’s important to remember that the production and circulation of printed images was subject to controls by the state and the church. The content of printed images, especially when accompanied by text, could be politically sensitive. Van der Noot was known for his support of the Protestant Reformation, so this portrait can be understood as a statement of his cultural and religious allegiances. The institutions of art, like printmaking workshops, were often connected to political movements. Art historians use archival sources to understand the social conditions that produce images like this. We can look into the biography of the sitter, the career of the artist, and the role of institutions to understand the social and political context of this portrait.