Medaillon met een portret van keizer Ferdinandus II c. 1631 - 1645

Christoffel Jegher created this medallion portrait of Emperor Ferdinand II using woodcut techniques. The circular composition immediately draws the eye to the Emperor’s stern visage. The use of stark contrasts between light and shadow imbue the image with a sense of gravity and power. The Emperor is encircled by text, literally framed by his own titles and authority. Jegher’s strategic use of line—seen both in the fine details of Ferdinand’s face and the broader strokes defining his armor—creates a textured surface that speaks to both the Emperor’s humanity and his imposing presence. Consider how this formal presentation reinforces the symbolic weight of imperial power. The medallion, as a form, suggests an object of veneration, akin to a coin or badge of honor. It invites us to reflect on how rulers in the 17th century employed portraiture as a tool to craft and disseminate their image, and how artists like Jegher played a key role in visually constructing authority.