Portret van keizer Frans I Stefan 1745 - 1759

This is Philipp Andreas Kilian's portrait of Emperor Francis I, an engraving now held at the Rijksmuseum. Kilian created this portrait during a time when representing power through images was a careful performance, filled with symbols. Francis I is depicted here in armor, a visual shorthand for strength and leadership. But look closer, and you'll see the lace at his sleeves, the soft curls of his wig, and the opulent, decorative frame. These elements speak to the performance of masculinity and power in the 18th century. The portrait doesn't just show a ruler, it tells us about the values of his time. Consider the weight of representation, the balance between the personal and the political, and how images like this shaped the narrative of leadership. What does it mean to perform power, and who gets to define that performance?