Portret van de Duitse keizer Jozef II 1783

Antoine Alexandre Joseph Cardon created this portrait of the German Emperor Joseph II as an engraving. Portraits of political figures can be seen as tools which reinforce power. Here, we see Joseph II presented with symbols of wealth and power like the crown and scepter. In the background, a ship is visible through an archway, perhaps symbolizing the naval power of the Holy Roman Empire. At the lower left, a cherubic figure holds a caduceus, which may refer to Joseph II’s reforms to medicine and public health. The social and political climate of Joseph II’s rule was shaped by the Enlightenment. His reforms aimed to modernize the Empire, but were often met with resistance from those who preferred the old ways. Consider how this image serves not only as a record, but also as an active participant in the political and cultural narratives of its time, reflecting and shaping perceptions of leadership.