Portret van Christiaan I van Saksen after 1601

Dominicus Custos made this portrait of Christian I of Saxony using engraving. Custos was part of a cultural shift that saw the rise of printmaking as a means to disseminate images and assert power. Christian I, the Elector of Saxony, is presented in the visual language of power. Note the fine details of his fur-lined coat, the lace collar, and the heavy chain of office. These aren't just decorative; they speak to his status, wealth, and authority in a society rigidly stratified by class. His stern gaze and the Latin inscriptions that frame him reinforce this image of a powerful ruler, chosen by blood and divine right. However, portraits like these also played a crucial role in constructing identity. Consider how Christian I wanted to be seen and remembered. How much of this image is performance, and how much is a reflection of the man himself? The artist mediates, negotiating the sitter’s desires, and the expectations of his patrons. These images shaped perceptions and reinforced a specific narrative.