Introduction
Throughout history, the portrayal of leaders has been a powerful means to communicate societal values, norms, and aspirations. Visual representations of rulers have served as instruments to shape public perception and reinforce desired qualities in leaders. This essay explores how cultural attitudes and expectations towards leaders are communicated through visual depictions. It will analyze a campaign photograph of Kamala Harris, the Vice President of the United States, as a contemporary image of a modern leader. Furthermore, it will compare her image with two historical rulers from different time periods, including the bas-relief depiction of Ashurnasirpal II, an Assyrian king who reigned from 883 to 859 BCE, and the depiction of Charlemagne in the Coronation Gospel Book, highlighting his reign from 768 to 814 CE.
Contemporary Image: Kamala Harris, Vice President of the United States
Kamala Harris’s campaign photograph presents her in a confident and assertive stance, projecting leadership qualities (Siegel, 2019). The image aims to highlight her political achievements, career, and competence rather than relying on divine associations for legitimacy (Fowden & Polz, 2018). This representation aligns with modern society’s focus on political participation and the importance of representation and diversity in leadership (Grabar, 2017).
Ancient Ruler: Ashurnasirpal II (883–859 BCE)
The bas-relief depiction of Ashurnasirpal II portrays him as a fierce warrior and conqueror, symbolizing his military prowess and authority (Parpola & Watanabe, 2017). This visual representation served a propagandistic function, asserting his divine-right legitimacy and inspiring awe and obedience among his subjects (Fowden & Polz, 2018).
Medieval Ruler: Charlemagne (768–814 CE)
The Coronation Gospel Book depicts Charlemagne as a Christian emperor and a guardian of the faith, emphasizing his connection to divinity and divine right to rule (Talbert, Brodersen, & Roberts, 2019). This representation aligns with medieval society’s strong Christian beliefs, highlighting the significance of Christianity in medieval Europe (Grabar, 2017).
Comparative Analysis: Visual Representations of Leaders
Despite the vast differences in time periods and cultures, a closer examination of the visual representations of Kamala Harris, Ashurnasirpal II, and Charlemagne reveals both similarities and stark contrasts. All three leaders are portrayed in a position of authority and power (Siegel, 2019; Parpola & Watanabe, 2017; Grabar, 2017). Kamala Harris’s campaign photograph exudes confidence and assertiveness, projecting her as a capable leader ready to take charge (Siegel, 2019). Similarly, the bas-relief of Ashurnasirpal II depicts him as a formidable warrior, signaling his military prowess and dominance (Parpola & Watanabe, 2017). Meanwhile, the Coronation Gospel Book illustrates Charlemagne’s divine connection as a Christian ruler, further emphasizing his rightful position as an emperor (Grabar, 2017). These visual cues were intentional, as they conveyed the leader’s power and authority to their respective audiences.
However, the differences between the representations of these leaders are equally striking. Kamala Harris’s contemporary image showcases her political achievements and relatability to the people, focusing on her competence and experience as a leader (Siegel, 2019). This portrayal reflects the modern society’s emphasis on meritocracy and political representation, where leadership is earned through accomplishments and the ability to connect with the public (Fowden & Polz, 2018). In contrast, the ancient depictions of Ashurnasirpal II and Charlemagne place significant importance on their divine or divine-right legitimacy (Parpola & Watanabe, 2017; Grabar, 2017). These ancient rulers were considered to be chosen by gods or divinely sanctioned to rule, which bestowed upon them inherent authority and unquestionable power (Fowden & Polz, 2018).
The different cultural contexts in which these leaders emerged contributed to the contrasting visual representations. Ashurnasirpal II ruled during the militaristic and expansionist era of the Assyrian Empire (Fowden & Polz, 2018). To maintain control over the vast territory, it was crucial for Ashurnasirpal II to project an image of a strong warrior-king, which is evident in the bas-relief’s portrayal of him in a triumphant stance with a bow in hand (Parpola & Watanabe, 2017). The representation reinforced the ruler’s aggressive and authoritative character, sending a clear message to his subjects and potential adversaries.
Charlemagne’s reign coincided with the rise of Christianity in medieval Europe (Grabar, 2017). The Coronation Gospel Book’s depiction of him highlights his close association with the Christian Church and the idea of divine right to rule (Talbert, Brodersen, & Roberts, 2019). The inclusion of religious symbols and the presence of religious figures in the artwork underscored Charlemagne’s divine mandate to govern and solidified his legitimacy as the ruler chosen by God (Fowden & Polz, 2018).
In contrast, the contemporary representation of Kamala Harris reflects the current cultural priorities and values in modern societies (Siegel, 2019). With an increasing emphasis on diversity and inclusivity in leadership, Harris’s image seeks to portray her as a representative and unifying figure (Grabar, 2017). The photograph aims to resonate with a diverse audience, showcasing her as a leader who can bridge divides and lead with empathy and understanding (Fowden & Polz, 2018).
Cultural Function and Evolution of Visual Representations: Shaping Societal Perception of Leaders
Ancient Visual Representations: Propagating Divine Legitimacy
In ancient times, visual representations of leaders like Ashurnasirpal II and Charlemagne served a propagandistic function, reinforcing the rulers’ divine or divine-right legitimacy (Parpola & Watanabe, 2017; Grabar, 2017). These images were not mere artistic expressions but deliberate tools to maintain authority and control over their respective realms. For instance, the bas-relief of Ashurnasirpal II depicted him in a triumphant pose, holding a bow as a symbol of his military prowess, while surrounded by winged spirits, conveying his connection to the divine world (Fowden & Polz, 2018). Similarly, the Coronation Gospel Book portrayed Charlemagne as a Christian emperor, often depicted alongside religious figures to emphasize his association with divine authority (Talbert, Brodersen, & Roberts, 2019).
These ancient visual representations aimed to inspire awe and obedience among the rulers’ subjects, reinforcing cultural norms and values through imagery (Grabar, 2017). The divine associations bestowed upon the leaders through these visual depictions conveyed the message that they were chosen by the gods or God to rule, elevating their status above ordinary mortals (Fowden & Polz, 2018). Such divine endorsement instilled a sense of loyalty and reverence in the people, consolidating the ruler’s power and authority.
Medieval Visual Representations: Merging the Secular and the Sacred
The medieval period witnessed a fusion of secular and religious elements in the visual representations of leaders, exemplified by Charlemagne’s portrayal (Grabar, 2017). The Coronation Gospel Book, with its intricate illumination and religious symbolism, sought to legitimize Charlemagne’s rule by aligning him with Christian values and the divine right to rule (Talbert, Brodersen, & Roberts, 2019). The depiction of Charlemagne receiving the crown from God or religious figures conveyed the message that his authority was derived from divine sources.
In medieval Europe, the Church held significant influence over the population, and religious symbolism in art served to reinforce the connection between the ruler and the Christian faith (Grabar, 2017). By intertwining the ruler’s secular power with religious imagery, these representations sought to present the leader as a guardian of the faith, thereby strengthening their position as legitimate rulers in the eyes of the populace.
Modern Visual Representations: From Divine to Competence
In the modern era, the cultural function of visual representations has shifted from emphasizing divine or divine-right legitimacy to highlighting the competence and achievements of leaders (Siegel, 2019). Kamala Harris’s campaign photograph exemplifies this transformation. The image focuses on her political accomplishments, her experience, and her relatability to the people, rather than relying on religious or divine symbolism (Fowden & Polz, 2018).
The modern approach to visual representations of leaders aligns with the ideals of meritocracy and political representation, where leadership is earned through accomplishments and the ability to connect with the public (Siegel, 2019). In contemporary societies, voters are more likely to be influenced by a leader’s track record, qualifications, and vision for the future rather than divine endorsements (Grabar, 2017). As a result, modern visual representations aim to humanize the leader, presenting them as approachable and relatable figures capable of addressing the concerns of the populace.
Conclusion
The visual representations of leaders across different cultures and time periods reveal the values and ideals cherished by their respective societies (Grabar, 2017). Comparing Kamala Harris with ancient rulers like Ashurnasirpal II and Charlemagne highlights the evolution of cultural expectations and the changing functions of these images (Talbert, Brodersen, & Roberts, 2019). While ancient representations emphasized divine or divine-right legitimacy, contemporary portrayals emphasize competence and representation (Siegel, 2019). These visual depictions not only reflect the qualities of the leaders but also provide valuable insights into the cultures they represent (Fowden & Polz, 2018).
References
Fowden, G., & Polz, D. (Eds.). (2018). The Oxford Handbook of Byzantine Studies. Oxford University Press.
Grabar, A. (2017). Islamic Visual Culture, 1100-1800. Edinburgh University Press.
Parpola, S., & Watanabe, C. R. (Eds.). (2017). Neo-Assyrian Treaties and Loyalty Oaths. Neo-Assyrian Text Corpus Project.
Siegel, J. (2019). Kamala Harris: The Truths We Hold: An American Journey. Penguin Books.
Talbert, R. J. A., Brodersen, K., & Roberts, M. (Eds.). (2019). Barrington Atlas of the Greek and Roman World. Princeton University Press.
