Das Heilige Römische Reich Deutscher Nation c. 1864

This preliminary drawing by Peter Becker portrays the Holy Roman Empire of the German Nation. We are immediately drawn to the figures of power, laden with symbols of authority: crowns, scepters, and ermine robes, each carrying a weight of historical and cultural significance. Consider the crown, a motif stretching back through antiquity, seen on pharaohs and emperors, each iteration symbolizing divine right and earthly power. In Becker's rendering, we see echoes of these ancient claims, yet adapted to a specific, 19th-century German context. The crown, therefore, is not a static symbol but a dynamic one. The scepter, too, speaks of dominion, of the bearer’s ability to command and control. It's not just a staff; it’s a conduit of power. Think back to ancient Egypt or Mesopotamia, where similar objects denoted the king's authority and his connection to the gods. These symbols are not merely decorative, they are emotional triggers, tapping into our collective memory and our subconscious understanding of power, how it’s performed, inherited, and visualized. Becker's drawing serves as a reminder that symbols are not fixed; they evolve, adapt, and resurface in new guises, reflecting the ever-changing currents of history.