Portret van Frederik I van Brandenburg 1713

Bernard Picart etched this portrait of Frederick I of Brandenburg. Observe how Frederick is framed: above, his likeness is set within an ornate cartouche, a declaration of status. Below, we see him on a dais accepting homage. The fur trim on his robes speaks to the primal associations of power and status. The use of fur as a symbol of authority echoes back to ancient practices where animal skins signified dominance and strength. This motif, found in royal garments across different epochs, from ancient rulers to medieval monarchs, manifests a primal connection to power, repurposed through ritual and heraldry. The motif of subjugation, figures kneeling at the feet of a ruler, carries echoes of ancient Roman triumphs and even further back to the pharaohs of Egypt. It's a cyclical reaffirmation of authority, a visual echo across centuries. The symbol of authority, each repetition reshapes its cultural resonance, embedding itself deeper into our collective psyche.