Portret van Gottfried Heinrich, graaf van Pappenheim 1613 - 1656

Cornelis Danckerts the First created this print of Gottfried Heinrich, Count of Pappenheim, sometime in the first half of the 17th century. This portrait of the celebrated Imperial Field Marshal offers insight into the politics of imagery during the Thirty Years' War. Danckerts, working in the Dutch Republic, skillfully uses the visual codes of power to depict Pappenheim. The Count is shown in armor, a symbol of military might, and wears a prominent crucifix, signaling his allegiance to the Catholic cause. The print's function extended beyond mere representation; it served as propaganda, reinforcing Pappenheim's image as a steadfast leader in a conflict rife with religious and political tensions. To fully grasp the print's significance, we can consult period documents, military histories, and biographical accounts of Pappenheim. This will further illuminate the intertwined roles of art, power, and religious conflict in shaping public opinion during a tumultuous era.