1721 Copper Engraving Portrait John George I Elector Saxony Thirty Year War EUM2

This is an original 1721 black and white copper engraving of "Hans Georg Churfürst von Brandenburg." This is a portrait of John George I, Elector of Saxony. He was the son of Christian I, Elector of Saxony and Sophie of Brandenburg. 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. This piece is accompanied by the original German biographical text printed on a separate sheet and features a decorative drop cap, an exquisite vignette comprised of