Allegorische voorstelling met figuren op oever en portret Alexander de Grote 1721

This allegorical print with a portrait of Alexander the Great was made by Johann Georg Mentzel in the early 18th century. It reflects a period when classical antiquity was used to legitimise contemporary political power. The image is rich with classical references: Alexander’s portrait is framed with a laurel wreath while allegorical figures populate the scene below. The image was created in Leipzig which was then at the heart of the Holy Roman Empire. The Empire's rulers sought to associate themselves with the glory of the Roman Empire and, by extension, the preceding Greek empires. The bookplate would have been pasted inside the front cover. The image would have acted as a statement of the owner's values and aspirations. Accessing the social meaning of artworks like this one requires an understanding of both classical history and the social and political conditions of 18th-century Germany.