Portret van Hendrik van Pruisen 1779

This is Johann Friedrich Bause's print of Hendrik van Pruisen, made using etching and engraving techniques. Hendrik was a prince of Prussia, and the image employs visual codes associated with royalty and military leadership. He is framed by foliage and surrounded by armor, a helmet, and an eagle, all of which are markers of power. The portrait provides insight into the way royal power was constructed and communicated in the late 18th century. Made in Germany, this portrait reflects the social and political structures of the Prussian court, where aristocratic status was intertwined with military prowess and family lineage. The print would likely have been commissioned or circulated within court circles, reinforcing the prince’s authority. To understand its full meaning, further research into the social history of the Prussian court is needed, delving into sources such as letters, diaries, and court documents. This allows us to understand better the public role of art and the politics of imagery in its specific time.