Portret van keizer Jozef I 1687 - 1724

This engraving, created between 1687 and 1724 by Dutch artist Jacob Gole, depicts Joseph I, Holy Roman Emperor. The portrait showcases the emperor in regal attire, adorned with a crown and ermine-trimmed robe, while his features are rendered with a sense of dignity and authority. The inscription surrounding the image, "Malgré la Lune et le Soleil. Je suis le feut Roy fans pareil," translates to "Despite the moon and the sun. I am the only king without equal." This inscription serves as a powerful testament to Joseph I's self-perception as an absolute monarch. The work, currently housed in the Rijksmuseum, exemplifies the tradition of royal portraiture, often employed to solidify the ruler's image and legitimize their power.