Portrait of Maximilian I 1518

Albrecht Durer sketched "Portrait of Maximilian I" during the early 16th century. Durer, as a court artist, was deeply embedded in the political and cultural currents of the Holy Roman Empire. This portrait captures Emperor Maximilian I, whose reign was marked by efforts to centralize power, and to cultivate a public image through art and propaganda. The portrait shows Maximilian in profile, with careful attention to his regal attire and stern expression. Maximilian I's identity as a powerful, Christian ruler is carefully constructed in this image. What is absent, however, are the voices and experiences of the common people whose lives were shaped by his policies. This portrait then, becomes a reminder of the power dynamics inherent in representation and the importance of seeking out alternative narratives.