Portret van Maria de Barbançon, prinses van Arenberg 1645

This is Paulus Pontius's portrait of Maria de Barbançon, Princess of Arenberg, an engraving created sometime in the mid-17th century. The image of Maria, adorned with pearls and lace, invites us to consider the role of women in positions of power at this time. Maria's noble status is affirmed through both dress and title, yet it is impossible to ignore the ways in which her identity was still tied to patriarchal structures. The male gaze is evident, shaping how Maria is presented and perceived. Pontius’s engraving captures not just an individual, but also the complex interplay of gender, class, and power within the historical context of the Dutch Golden Age. It is a reminder of the constraints and expectations placed upon women, even those of noble birth.