Penning met een embleem en de namen van de keurvorsten van Trier 1711

This undated, unsigned engraving depicts an emblem with the names of the Electors of Trier. Given the era’s political climate, this object likely served as a form of visual propaganda, reinforcing the power and legitimacy of the Trier electors. The detailed inscriptions of names and dates, combined with the central emblem, work to create a sense of historical continuity and authority. What strikes me is the way the circular design subtly mirrors a clock, a potent symbol of time and succession. The bust at the center seems to signal an embodiment of power. When viewed through the lens of gender and power, this representation begs questions about who is included and excluded from the historical narrative. How might women's roles or perspectives be obscured within such displays of authority? Ultimately, this engraving serves as a reminder of the ways in which art can reflect, reinforce, and also question the power structures of its time.