Portret van Christoph von Kannenberg 1673 - 1691

This print of Christoph von Kannenberg was made by Lambert Visscher in the late 17th century. It presents a man of status, named as a Lord and Marshall, and associated with the Elector of Brandenburg. But what can we infer from the way Kannenberg is presented? Visual codes such as his armour and lace collar speak of a social hierarchy in which appearance reinforced power. The Latin inscription reminds us that this was still the language of diplomacy and authority in Northern Europe at the time. The decorative wreath around the portrait is a classical reference, alluding to the virtues of statesmanship. This image is very much a product of the social structures of its time, yet it also speaks to Kannenberg’s individual achievements. To understand more, we might research the history of the Brandenburg electorate or the role of the Kannenberg family in the military and political life of the region. The meaning of such an image is always contingent on social and institutional context.