Portrait of Christian August, Prince of Anhalt Zerbst, father of Catherine II of Russia. 1725

Antoine Pesne painted this portrait of Christian August, Prince of Anhalt-Zerbst, featuring symbols of power and duty. His armor and the battlefield scene evoke his military service, while the orange sash and fur trim denote his noble status, visual cues for the attributes associated with leadership: courage, loyalty, and authority. Consider the visual language employed here; the armor, a motif seen throughout history, from ancient Roman statues to medieval knights, each time adapted, but invariably signifying strength and protection. The prince's hand resting on his helmet is reminiscent of classical portrayals of military figures, yet the gesture also conveys a sense of weariness, of the burden of command. The sash he wears, reminiscent of religious vestments, is a visual echo of the sacred oaths and ancestral responsibilities of the prince, the constant demands of duty, a silent scream passed through generations. These symbols, echoing through time, resurface, evolve, and take on new meanings in different historical contexts.