Hertug Christian af Braunschweig 1595 - 1647

Simon de Pas created this print of Hertug Christian af Braunschweig sometime between 1610 and 1647 using engraving techniques. The print presents an image of a military leader, surrounded by scenes of battle. Prints such as these fulfilled an important public role in the early modern era as ways of communicating information, spreading propaganda, and shaping public opinion. Produced in the Netherlands during the early 17th century, this portrait would have been consumed within a society embroiled in religious and political conflict. Braunschweig was a key military leader during the Thirty Years' War. The visual codes of military prowess serve to position Braunschweig as a strong leader, capable of defending Protestant interests, while the mottos surrounding his portrait draw connections between virtue and military success. To understand the cultural and institutional context of this image more fully, we can turn to sources such as military records and political pamphlets, held in archives and libraries, to better understand the role played by figures like Braunschweig in this tumultuous period in European history.