Portret van Peter Philipp von Dernbach 1713

This is Johann Salver’s etching of Peter Philipp von Dernbach, made sometime between 1670 and 1738. Dernbach was a significant figure in the Catholic Church, serving as the Prince-Bishop of Bamberg and Würzburg. The portrait situates Dernbach within the religious and political tensions of the 17th and 18th centuries. The imagery, laden with symbols of ecclesiastical and imperial power, reflects his high status. Yet, it also speaks to the complex negotiations of identity and authority within the Holy Roman Empire. Dernbach was instrumental in shaping the religious landscape of his territories, against a backdrop of imperial politics and conflicts. Consider how Dernbach’s identity is constructed through this formal portrait. What aspects of his character does Salver seek to emphasize? Perhaps, by contemplating these questions, we can better understand the man, and the era that shaped him.