Die Sprache der Bilder in den Josephinischen Gesetzbüchern
The Language of Imagery in Emperor Joseph II’s Codes of Law

Summary/Abstract: The imagery in Emperor Joseph II’s codes of law has not been a subject of research, which is understandable to a certain degree. The copperplate engravings from the Josephine codes of law are probably not that interesting for art historians, but they are exceptionally attractive for historians and legal historians. These copperplate engravings visualize, often very critically, some of the published codes of law. The method of study is the “language of imagery” and the “language of text”. The language of imagery is understood as an expression of the ruling power, while the language of texts in the codes of law (as well as an expression of power) is held up here as a mirror in the form of the language of contemporary authors – i.e. a juxtaposition between the official meaning and the satirical texts written at the time. The title images of the codes of law of Joseph II and Leopold II might also be interpreted as a result of the “thawing” of censorship, as the subsequent codes of law of Francis I/II do not contain allegoric engravings.

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