Christian Albert af Holsten 1664 - 1666

This engraving of Christian Albert af Holsten was made by Albert Haelwegh. While we don't know the exact date, we can be sure that it was made during Christian Albert's life. Portraits such as this played an important role in shaping public perceptions of political figures in the early modern period. Holsten's noble status is emphasized through the formal composition of the portrait, the inscription, and his attire of armor and long wig. What’s interesting here, though, is that the engraving depicts an image of power that, while intended to create respect, perhaps also signals a time of instability. To understand this image better, it would be valuable to research the history of the House of Holstein-Gottorp and Albert Haelwegh's role as a portraitist in Northern Europe. Considering the social and political role of visual representation can give us insight into the way art can shape public opinion.