Portret van Johann Philipp von Schönborn, aartsbisschop van Mainz 1633 - 1673

This engraving, made by Coenraet Waumans around the mid-17th century, depicts Johann Philipp von Schönborn, Archbishop of Mainz. More than a mere likeness, this portrait speaks volumes about the social and institutional power Schönborn held in the Holy Roman Empire. The visual codes are clear: the elaborate attire, the framing oval, and the inscription below all reinforce his elevated status. Mainz, in what is now Germany, was a significant ecclesiastical and political center. Schönborn, as Archbishop, was not only a religious leader but also an Elector, one of the select few who could choose the Holy Roman Emperor. This artwork is more than a portrait; it's a statement of authority within a complex web of religious and secular power structures. To fully understand this image, we need to delve into the history of the Holy Roman Empire, its electoral system, and the role of the Church. Museum archives, historical documents, and scholarly research would give a more complete picture of how individuals like Schönborn shaped the social and political landscape of their time.