Portret van Maximilian Joseph, keurvorst van Beieren 1800

This engraving portrays Maximilian Joseph, Elector of Bavaria, and was made by Johann Michael Schramm. The most striking symbol is the prominent star-shaped medallion, an emblem of honor and status, positioned at the heart of his attire. This motif echoes the celestial stars, a symbol that dates back to ancient times, representing divine guidance and destiny, and resurfaces across various cultures. Consider its appearances in Renaissance art, adorning religious figures, where it denotes spiritual enlightenment. Here, the star on Maximilian’s chest is a secular emblem, yet it retains a shimmer of that earlier, sacred association. Through the ages, we witness this symbol adapted and reinterpreted, mirroring our enduring fascination with leadership and authority. Like in antiquity, it now projects power, prestige, and the cyclical nature of how we are drawn to images that evoke a sense of wonder.