Cavalier del doge 1598

This engraving of a 'Cavalier del Doge', or Doge's Cavalier, was made by Christoph Krieger as an illustration for a book. The image encapsulates a very particular moment in the history of Venice, a mercantile republic ruled by an elected Duke, or Doge. The Doge's Cavaliers were members of the aristocracy, tasked with escorting and protecting the Doge during public ceremonies. As such, their image, as carefully presented here, was tied to the self-image of the Venetian state. The image is created through line work and presents the cavalier in formal robes. The border adds an extra layer, perhaps suggesting how the Doge's Cavalier was presented in printed books to convey very specific ideas about the state. To understand this image better we might look at Venetian history books and archival documents. Images of this kind are always embedded in social and institutional contexts.