Portret van Johann Casimir Kolbe van Wartenberg II 1694 - 1729

Johann Tscherning created this print of Johann Casimir Kolbe von Wartenberg II, sometime between 1650 and 1732. Prints such as this one functioned as a kind of early modern social media. Portraits of powerful individuals circulated widely. The medium of printmaking allowed for images, along with the ideas and values they conveyed, to be disseminated across geographical and social boundaries. This portrait of Johann Casimir, who held a high-ranking position in the Prussian court, is framed by an oval border that contains an inscription detailing his titles and status. The inclusion of his coat of arms further emphasizes his noble lineage and authority. To fully understand the social and institutional context of this print, art historians can consult primary sources such as court records and genealogical archives. By exploring these resources, we can gain deeper insights into the ways in which images like this one reinforced social hierarchies and power structures in 17th- and 18th-century Prussia.