Emperor Joseph II With Grand Duke Pietro Leopoldo Of Tuscany 

Pompeo Batoni painted Emperor Joseph II with Grand Duke Pietro Leopoldo of Tuscany in the late 18th century, capturing the spirit of the Enlightenment. The painting portrays Joseph II, Holy Roman Emperor, with his brother Pietro Leopoldo, who later became Leopold II. Both were key figures of enlightened absolutism, a movement that sought to modernize governance. We see them set against a backdrop that includes Saint Peter’s Basilica, a symbol of papal authority. Yet, rather than piety, the brothers appear to be more interested in rational governance, with their gazes steady and assured. Notice the statue of Minerva, the Roman goddess of wisdom and strategic warfare; her presence reinforces the enlightened ideals of reason and progress that these rulers embraced. The hand-holding is also notable because, in this period, physical touch between men of their status signified trust and a shared vision. Consider how the image balances personal expression with political messaging, and how the composition promotes ideas of leadership that were in vogue during the Enlightenment.