Portret van Maria Johanna Baptiste hertogin van Savoye 1688 - 1698

This is an undated portrait of Maria Johanna Baptiste, Duchess of Savoy, made by an anonymous artist and held at the Rijksmuseum. The image, likely produced as an engraving, presents the Duchess within an ornate oval frame, complete with a crown and blank shield below. What we see here is not simply a likeness, but a carefully constructed representation of power and status. The Duchess's refined features, pearl jewelry, and elaborate gown all speak to her noble rank. The crown and shield are heraldic devices that would have signaled her lineage and authority to contemporary viewers. This portrait likely circulated among the aristocratic circles of the time, reinforcing social hierarchies and celebrating the ruling class. While the artist remains unknown, their work is a testament to the role of art in shaping and perpetuating social order. Historians can draw on a range of resources – genealogical records, fashion history, and studies of print culture – to further illuminate the context and meaning of this image. The task of understanding this image relies on the social and institutional contexts of its production and reception.