Portret van Leopold I, keizer van Duitsland 1628 - 1670

Editor: This is Pieter de Jode the Younger’s “Portret van Leopold I, keizer van Duitsland,” an engraving made sometime between 1628 and 1670. There’s a striking formality to it. What historical narratives do you think this work engages with? Curator: Considering the time period and the subject’s position, it's crucial to dissect the socio-political statement this portrait makes. Leopold I is portrayed with symbols of power – crown, orb, sword – all communicating his divinely ordained right to rule. This echoes the prevalent patriarchal structures of the time. But I’d ask you, what does it mean to showcase this kind of power via *print*? Editor: Well, as a print, it would be relatively reproducible and accessible...so is it a propaganda piece aimed at solidifying his power? Curator: Precisely. Prints allowed for dissemination of carefully crafted imagery across different social strata. Consider this portrait's role in legitimizing Habsburg rule. How might the average person at the time have interpreted these symbols versus, say, an aristocrat? Editor: I imagine the average person would be impressed by the overt display of power, maybe intimidated even, while the aristocracy might see it as just another affirmation of the established hierarchy, perhaps even be critical of its presentation. Curator: Exactly. And within that context, can we consider this image as actively shaping and reinforcing dominant power structures and potentially silencing alternative narratives? What are your final thoughts? Editor: It's interesting to see how even a formal portrait like this is deeply entrenched in the politics of its time. I had not considered the ways in which a print could reinforce the power dynamics of a monarchy in the 17th century. Curator: Indeed. This image serves not only as a portrait but as a powerful artifact that allows us to interrogate the past and its bearing on contemporary discussions of power, identity, and representation.