Portrait of Joseph II, Holy Roman Emperor 

Pompeo Batoni created this oil on canvas portrait of Joseph II, the Holy Roman Emperor. Batoni employed the traditional techniques of layering paint to build up form and detail, a time-consuming process requiring skilled craftsmanship, labor, and specialized knowledge. Observe the way Joseph II is portrayed, adorned in an elaborate military uniform, replete with fur and gold details. The uniform speaks to the intense amount of labor required to create such garments, from the raising of animals for fur, to the extraction of precious metals, to the skilled artistry of tailoring and embroidery. Even the sword at his side represents a collaboration of specialized crafts, from metalworking to leather crafting. The opulent materials and painstaking processes of this portrait reflect the Emperor's status and power, as well as the vast network of labor and resources required to maintain his position. By considering the materiality and making of this artwork, we gain insight into the social and economic structures of the time.