Portret van Ludwig Rudolf von Braunschweig-Blankenburg-Wolfenbüttel 1694 - 1735

Jacob Andreas Fridrich created this print of Ludwig Rudolf von Braunschweig-Blankenburg-Wolfenbüttel. The piece gives us a glimpse into the performance of power and identity in the 18th century. At the center we see Ludwig Rudolf framed within an oval, adorned with symbols of authority and virtue. But consider the figures surrounding him: angels, cherubs, and allegorical representations of wisdom and strength. What do these figures tell us about the construction of identity and the desire to legitimize power through divine or intellectual endorsement? It is as if the artist is not just presenting a portrait, but is also constructing a narrative about the sitter’s virtues and his place in the world. The emotional aspect of the print comes in seeing the performance of status and power. The work invites us to reflect on the expectations and constraints placed upon individuals. What is gained and what is lost in the pursuit and maintenance of power?