Portret van Otto I, koning van Griekenland 1842 - 1887

Carel Christiaan Antony Last made this print of Otto I, King of Greece, in 1864. The image is a lithograph, a printmaking technique well suited to producing images for mass consumption. The portrait presents Otto in full military regalia, complete with medals and sword, leaning in a relaxed pose on what appears to be a classical column. This combination of military might and classical reference evokes the visual language of empire. Otto was originally a Bavarian Prince who was appointed King of Greece by the Great Powers. He ruled the country as an absolute monarch, and this autocratic style of leadership eventually led to his deposition in 1862. This print thus captures a critical point in the history of the Greek nation. Looking at the material culture of 19th-century Bavaria and Greece can tell us more about the significance of the image.