Portret van Karel van Pruisen 1827

This print by G.W. Lehmann depicts Karel van Pruisen. In this portrait we see how images were used to reinforce social hierarchies. Produced in Prussia, this portrait serves as a visual representation of power and status within the Prussian aristocracy. It speaks to the socio-political climate of the time, where portraits of nobles reinforced class divisions and promoted dynastic power. The way Karel van Pruisen is presented – his clothing, his pose – tells us a lot about the values of his time. Consider for example the high quality of the printing. This would have been a costly artwork. Who was the image for? How would it have been viewed? To understand this artwork better, we can examine historical records and the Prussian court's patronage of the arts. By doing so, we can better understand the politics of imagery, and how these images reflect and shape the social conditions of their time.