Portret van Maximiliaan I van Beieren 1684 - 1743

This engraving by Jan Lamsvelt depicts Maximilian I, Elector of Bavaria, adorned with symbols of power and prestige. Dominating the image is the opulent fur mantle, a visual representation of wealth and status that has roots stretching back to antiquity. Consider how fur has, since ancient times, signified power, connecting rulers to the raw strength and dominance of nature. We see its echo in the lion skin worn by Hercules, a symbol adopted by rulers throughout history to convey invincibility and divine favor. Note the chain, too, a physical manifestation of authority and order, reminiscent of the Roman emperors' laurel wreaths. The symbols we see in Lamsvelt's print reappear across centuries, a testament to our enduring human need to manifest power through visual display. They are not static but evolve, adapting to the anxieties and aspirations of each new age. This portrait, like others, acts as a cultural touchstone, reminding us that the symbols of power are ever-present, yet continually reshaped by the tides of history.