Portret van Wolfgang Julius von Hohenlohe-Neuenstein 1665

This is Matthias van Sommer's portrait of Wolfgang Julius von Hohenlohe-Neuenstein, an etching. During this period, portraiture was a tool for the elite to reinforce their status, dictating particular ideals of masculinity and power. Here, Wolfgang is adorned in armor, a symbol of military prowess and aristocratic duty. Long hair was fashionable among the European aristocracy of the time, communicating virility and status. His stern gaze and posture exude authority, in line with the expectations of leadership at the time. Yet, these representations were not neutral; they affirmed the social hierarchies and the power dynamics that kept certain groups in positions of dominance. The portrait develops traditional representations of masculinity, and serves as a reminder of how identity is often constructed in relation to power. Consider the portrait as more than a depiction; it's a historical artifact that reflects the societal values and power structures of its time, inviting us to reflect on whose stories are told and how they are told.