Stamboom van Frederik en Ottheinrich van Palts-Neuburg (plaat 20) 1535 - 1594

This is Jakob Clauser’s ‘Family Tree of Frederick and Ottheinrich von Palts-Neuburg’, a black ink drawing made in the 16th century. At first glance, the ornate, intertwined lines create a complex visual puzzle, presenting a challenge to decipher. The composition resembles a branching tree, each leaf a portrait or heraldic symbol representing a member of the Palatinate-Neuburg lineage. Clauser masterfully uses line to create depth, with finer, more delicate lines suggesting a receding plane, and bolder strokes asserting presence. This careful structuring invites the viewer to consider how power and lineage are constructed and visually represented. The density of the imagery invites us to question the very nature of representation. It's a semiotic network where each element – portrait, coat of arms, inscription – functions as a signifier. The work challenges fixed meanings, asking us to consider the constructed nature of identity and the ways in which family history can be both a source of pride and a tool for asserting authority. This careful structuring compels the viewer to explore how power and lineage are constructed and visually represented.