Portret van Johann Georg von Kulpis Possibly 1698 - 1704

This engraving portrays Johann Georg von Kulpis, and was made by Leonhard Heckenauer. The print presents us with a window into the world of 17th-century European aristocracy and the way their status was visually constructed and circulated. Portraits like this served as powerful tools for asserting social standing. The elaborate wig, the fine lace collar, and the formal inscription around the oval frame immediately signal the sitter's high rank. Made in the German states, the print reflects a society deeply invested in lineage, titles, and courtly life. Kulpis's role as a legal minister is emphasized by the Latin inscription. The coat of arms further anchors him within a specific family and its associated power. To fully understand this image, we might delve into the archives of noble families or study the visual culture of the Holy Roman Empire. Doing so helps us understand how portraits like this not only reflect the social structures of their time but also actively worked to reinforce them.