Dimensions: height 168 mm, width 104 mm
Copyright: Rijks Museum: Open Domain
This is Johann Sebastian Müller's diminutive portrait of George I, King of Great Britain and Ireland. This engraving compels us to consider how power is structured through visual representation. The composition is organized around a play of frames: an oval cartouche encircles the King’s likeness, itself adorned with heraldic symbols, and a secondary scene is layered below. Müller uses intricate line work to produce textures that imply luxury and authority—the ermine trim, the elaborate wig, and the crown all speak to royal status. The lines create not just visual depth but also a hierarchy, placing the King above symbols of governance and law. This portrait stages a delicate game of visibility and meaning. It invites us to think about how images enforce societal values, prompting ongoing reflection on the systems of power they represent.
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