Portret van Karel V van Habsburg, Duits keizer, koning van Spanje 1620

Editor: Here we have a print from 1620 by Adriaen Matham, currently at the Rijksmuseum, titled "Portrait of Charles V of Habsburg, German Emperor, King of Spain". The intricate detail achieved through engraving is captivating. How would you interpret this depiction? Curator: The enduring presence of Charles V, even decades after his death, is remarkable. Notice how he's holding the globus cruciger, an orb signifying dominion over the world. That's a potent image of imperial power. And alongside it, he bears his coat of arms, merging family lineage and geopolitical aspiration into one, consolidated identity. Editor: The symbols are really strong, giving a very defined image. Curator: Absolutely. Now, consider the sword, nearly as tall as he is. What might it suggest beyond military might? Editor: Perhaps a kind of... divinely sanctioned power? An almost mythical element added in. Curator: Precisely. The sword serves as a visual marker tying earthly dominion with perceived moral legitimacy. Remember, during the rise of nation states, monarchs aimed to portray not just political control but a higher, almost providential mandate. It touches our shared cultural memories about who rulers are, or ought to be. Editor: This piece tells so much more than just who the man was. Thank you! Curator: Indeed. It's about the stories we tell ourselves about power, visually codified for generations. The cultural weight lingers.