Portret van Jozef I, koning van Portugal 1731 - 1788

This is Johann Esaias Nilson's portrait of Joseph I, King of Portugal. It was made with etching, around 1749. Note the presence of the Portuguese coat of arms, a symbol of national identity and power. The armillary sphere in the emblem represents Portugal's Age of Discovery, a motif resonating with both pride and ambition. This sphere echoes through history, reminding us of humanity's relentless pursuit of knowledge, much like the celestial globes found in ancient Roman art, symbols of cosmic order and imperial reach. Consider how the king's armor contrasts with the delicate floral decorations of the frame; a tension between might and culture. This interplay is a recurring theme in the arts, echoing the duality of human nature itself—the eternal struggle between reason and passion, order and chaos. The echoes of history resonate here, speaking to us on a deeply felt, subconscious level.