Johann T'Serclaes, Count of Tilly c. 17th century

Editor: So, this is Pieter de Jode the Elder’s engraving of Johann T'Serclaes, Count of Tilly. The background seems to depict a fire. What can you tell me about the public role of an image like this? Curator: This engraving presents Tilly, a military leader, within a very specific framework. The fire, coupled with his armor, elevates his image. It speaks to the visual rhetoric of power and its dissemination through printmaking. Who was the audience for this image, and what was its intended effect? Editor: I suppose it was meant to project power and authority, but to whom? Curator: Consider the context: prints like these circulated widely. They shaped public opinion and immortalized figures, contributing to the construction of historical narratives. Editor: That’s fascinating. I never considered the role of prints in building someone's legacy. Curator: Indeed! The power of imagery to shape perceptions should not be underestimated.