Portret van Joachim II keurvorst van Brandenburg 1600 - 1604

This is Dominicus Custos's portrait of Joachim II, Elector of Brandenburg, made as an engraving. It offers insight into the visual language of power and status in the late 16th century. Produced in the Holy Roman Empire, the image presents Joachim within an oval frame, adorned with Latin inscriptions declaring his noble titles. The armor he wears symbolizes his military strength and aristocratic status, crucial for maintaining control in a fragmented empire of competing principalities. This image would likely have been commissioned to circulate among other members of the aristocracy. The level of detail achieved through engraving—evident in the textures of his beard and armor—speaks to the engraver's skill and the value placed on high-quality representation. Looking at similar portraits and engravings of the period, along with archival documents about the Brandenburg court, can help us understand the political and social function of such images. It's through this kind of contextual research that we can better understand the historical impact of this portrait.