Portret van Johann Eitel Brendel von Homburg 1615 - 1630

Conrad Grale created this portrait of Johann Eitel Brendel von Homburg as an engraving, a medium that allowed for detailed reproduction and widespread distribution during the early 17th century. Johann Eitel is depicted in armor, a visual statement of power and status, but what does it mean to perform this kind of masculinity? How does the armor shape his very stance and presence? The elaborate decorations and Latin inscriptions frame him as a figure of military prowess and nobility, yet the delicate lines of the engraving also convey a sense of vulnerability. The context is critical; Johann Eitel lived during the Thirty Years' War, a period of immense upheaval marked by religious conflict, political maneuvering, and social disruption. How did individuals navigate their identities amid such turmoil? This portrait invites reflection on the weight of expectation and the burdens of leadership during times of crisis.