Portret van Maria Johanna Baptiste, hertogin van Savoye

This is Pieter van Schuppen's portrait of Maria Johanna Baptiste, Duchess of Savoy, an engraving that immortalizes a figure of significant power and influence in 17th-century Europe. The Duchess, Marie Jeanne Baptiste of Savoy-Nemours, was not merely a noble by birth; she was a political strategist who wielded considerable power after she was widowed. This portrait must be viewed through the lens of gender dynamics of the era, where women navigated politics through marriage and regency. The visual cues of her status, from the elaborate pearl jewelry to the regal garments, speak to the performance of power expected of women in positions of authority. The Duchess was a patron of the arts and known for her intellectual capabilities, challenging the limited roles often assigned to women. Her story reflects a complex negotiation of identity. The portrait offers a glimpse into a world where identity, power, and representation were carefully constructed and circulated.