Portret van Adam Friedrich von Braunschweig 1715 - 1737

This engraving by Johann Wilhelm Michaelis portrays Adam Friedrich von Braunschweig. It offers a window into the representation of power and status within 18th-century German society. Images like this were central to constructing and reinforcing social hierarchies. Note the details: Braunschweig's elaborate wig, his polished armor, and the family crest below. These aren't just aesthetic choices; they're visual cues designed to communicate authority, lineage, and military prowess. The portrait speaks to the importance of noble identity and service to the Prussian King. To fully understand this image, we need to delve into the history of the Holy Roman Empire and the complex relationships between its constituent states. Researching Braunschweig's military career and his family's place within Pomeranian society will allow us to understand the codes in the portrait. It reminds us that art is never created in a vacuum, but is instead deeply embedded in social and institutional contexts.