Audiëntie bij keizer Lotharius III 1622

Cornelis Galle I created this print of 'Audience with Emperor Lothar III' sometime between 1596 and 1650. The composition is structured around a central figure, the Emperor, enthroned and flanked by two clergymen. The artist skillfully employs hatching to give depth to the textures of fabrics and architectural details. The artwork's meaning lies in its structure, which sets up a visual hierarchy. The Emperor, positioned at the center and elevated, holds symbols of temporal power, while the clergymen embody spiritual authority. This interplay reflects the historical tensions between the church and state. Galle uses semiotic signs to convey this relationship, where the Emperor’s sword and orb contrast with the clergymen’s vestments. The architectural background adds a layer of meaning, suggesting a formal, almost theatrical space where power and piety intersect. The formal qualities of the print—its balanced composition and detailed execution—function not just aesthetically but also as part of a larger cultural discourse on authority, legitimacy, and the roles of church and state.