Portret van Christina von Sachsen c. 1665 - 1694

Elias van Lennep created this print of Christina von Sachsen sometime in the late 17th century. Christina was Landgravine of Hesse-Eschwege by marriage. The portrait is of interest to historians not so much for its aesthetic achievement as for what it tells us about the representation of aristocratic women at the time. The codes of status are all here: the carefully arranged hair and elaborate, stiff clothing, the suggestion of a grand interior, and the Latin inscription that names Christina’s various titles. These are the visual markers of power and privilege in the Dutch Republic. We can study the history of institutions like the court to find out more about Christina’s life and role. What was expected of her as Landgravine? What power did she wield? And how did these portraits function in a society where power was inherited? The work remains a fascinating artifact in the history of social class.