Portret van Nicolás Cotoner 1726

Laurent Cars created this portrait engraving of Nicolás Cotoner, the 60th Grand Master of the Knights Hospitaller, sometime between 1699 and 1771. Cotoner's identity as a leader within a military and religious order is expressed through his elaborate armor, emblazoned with the Maltese cross. Cars’s portrait offers insight into the socio-political context of the Knights Hospitaller. Founded during the Crusades, this order, composed of elite Catholic men, played a crucial role in the military and social structures of Europe and the Mediterranean. Their religious beliefs and military power were interwoven with the violent conflicts and cultural exchanges of the era. What does it mean to portray a leader with such clear symbols of power? How do images like this, which celebrate strength and authority, affect our understanding of history and identity? This portrait invites us to reflect on the narratives of power and their lasting impact on our world.