Maximilian I Joseph of Bavaria (1756–1825, r. 1806–25) 1810 - 1820

Curator: This delicate object is a portrait of Maximilian I Joseph of Bavaria, who reigned from 1806 to 1825. Dating from between 1810 and 1820, it's an intriguing piece, crafted from both plaster and glass by Désprez. Editor: My first impression? It feels like solidified light. The clear glass with its radial cuts creates a halo effect, emphasizing the almost ethereal profile. There's a tension between the cool precision of the glass and the softness of the plaster portrait. Curator: Exactly! The tension is quite deliberate. Royal portraiture served not only to represent the individual but also to project an image of power and legitimacy. This portrait comes at a time of great political upheaval as the Holy Roman Empire has been recently dissolved and Bavaria sought to navigate the Napoleonic Wars. Creating objects like this was a performance, creating Bavaria’s position and Maximilian's role within. Editor: The profile, a timeless symbol of leadership, set against the sunburst of cut glass – it's quite masterful, actually. Glass as a material often signifies fragility or purity. In this context, I think it reinforces the idealized nature of the ruler. Maximilian isn’t presented as flesh and blood, but almost as an idea. Curator: The piece walks a line between promoting absolute authority and hinting at Enlightenment ideals. We shouldn't forget that rulers like Maximilian sought to legitimize themselves through references to the past while presenting a vision for the future of Bavaria. The clear medium suggests transparency, maybe accessibility, even if the form, a classical profile, maintains a sense of formality. Editor: So, it’s less about specific symbolic objects, and more about using a particular set of symbols and artistic modes – classical portraiture and dazzling presentation– to make him presentable on an international stage? Curator: Precisely! It’s an early-19th century attempt to mold both the ruler's image and Bavaria’s reputation as powerful entities during great shifts across the Continent. Editor: I find myself more struck by how the interplay of materials and forms reflects enduring needs – power and connection– rendered in crystalline delicacy.