Portret van Ernst von Holstein-Schaumburg 1623

This is Lucas Kilian’s portrait of Ernst von Holstein-Schaumburg, an engraving made sometime in the early 17th century. Kilian was working during the late Renaissance, a period of great religious and political upheaval in Europe. Here, Ernst is framed within symbols of power and learning: figures of justice and war, alongside musical instruments. The inscription emphasizes his role as a founder, highlighting his patronage of the arts and sciences. But what does it mean to be a patron? How did Ernst's position shape the cultural landscape, and whose voices were amplified or suppressed as a result? The portrait captures not only Ernst’s likeness but also the complex interplay of power, knowledge, and representation in his time. It invites us to reflect on the legacies of patronage and how they continue to shape our understanding of history.