Jerome Napoleon, King of Westphalie, French Prince c. 18th century

Editor: This is Johann Gotthard Müller's portrait of Jerome Napoleon. The engraving captures a sense of aristocratic bearing, but something about the context feels lost to me. How does this portrait function within the broader context of Napoleonic imagery and power? Curator: It's crucial to consider the proliferation of portraits like these. They were tools of statecraft, weren't they? To project power and legitimacy. How do you think the artist, Müller, negotiates representing Napoleon's brother while also working within established artistic conventions? Editor: So, it's about the dissemination of image, and legitimizing rule. Fascinating. Curator: Exactly! It speaks to the role art played in shaping public perception and solidifying political authority during a turbulent era. I am also wondering about the medallions around the portrait and the meaning behind them.