1721 Copper Engraving Portrait Christian II Elector Saxony Germany EUM2

This is an original 1721 black and white copper engraving of "Christianus II, Churfürst zu Sachsen." This is a portrait of Christian II, Elector of Saxony. He was the son of Christian I, Elector of Saxony and Sophie of Brandenburg. Christian II's refusal to join the Union of Auhausen deepened the division between Protestant German states during the build-up to the Thrity Years' War. The portrait is surrounded by a wonderful decorative motif featuring the Oldest Electoral Hat, signifying the subject as a Prince-Elector, or simply Elector, a member of the electoral college of the Holy Roman Empire. These individuals had the function of electing the Roman King or, from the middle of the sixteenth century onwards, directly electing the Holy Roman Emperor. The Oldest Electoral Hat gently rests upon velvet cloth at the top of the print, with the cloth cascading down the sides of the portrait. At the base of the frame is a decorative motto incorporating a botanical design. CONDITION