Portret van Jozef I, Rooms-Duits keizer 1705 - 1733

Martin Bernigeroth created this print of Joseph I, Holy Roman Emperor, sometime between 1670 and 1733. Bernigeroth's detailed engraving offers us a glimpse into the visual culture of the Holy Roman Empire. The portrait is a study in power and identity. Joseph I is adorned in armor, a symbol of military might, but his elaborate wig and fur stole speak to the performative nature of royal identity. What does it mean to see a ruler so deliberately constructed? Joseph's gaze is steady, yet the trappings of royalty almost overwhelm the individual. The crown sits to his side, as if to remind us that his power is both inherent and an object to be possessed. Bernigeroth’s work invites us to reflect on the burdens and performances of leadership, and the intricate dance between personal identity and imposed authority.