Josias, Count de Waldeck-Pyrmont c. 17th century

Curator: This is Mattaeus Merian the Younger's portrait of Josias, Count de Waldeck-Pyrmont. The print work is quite intricate. Editor: It has an air of restrained power, doesn’t it? He seems aware of his own importance but not overly boastful. Curator: The trappings of power are definitely present. The elaborate frame, his armor, and of course, the prominent display of his heraldic shield. It emphasizes his lineage and position. Editor: The shield seems to communicate a complex family history, which is further solidified by the Latin phrase at the bottom. But notice the softer touches too, like the flowing hair. Curator: An interesting contrast, reflecting the era's balance between aristocratic display and emerging individual expression. Editor: It speaks to the careful construction of identity, both personal and political, at the time. A life curated, if you will. Curator: Indeed, and as a print, it also reflects the wider distribution of such constructed identities in society. Editor: A fascinating glimpse into the performance of power.