Portret van Johann Georg III van Saksen 1690 - 1697

This is Leonhard Heckenauer's portrait of Johann Georg III of Saxony, rendered in delicate lines. The print presents a study in contrasts, employing shape and form to construct a scene of power. The oval frame, adorned with a wreath, encloses the somber face of Johann Georg III, whose gaze meets ours with cool detachment. The lines are sharp and controlled, creating a rich texture that invites close inspection. Below, an inscription flanked by heraldic devices roots the image in a very particular historical and political context. We are invited to interpret the signs of lineage, land, and authority in this highly-organized composition. Through the calculated deployment of each element, Heckenauer's portrait becomes more than a likeness; it is an assertion of status, preserved in the formal language of engraving.