Portret van Karel August Willem Nicolaas van Saksen-Weimar-Eisenach c. 1851 - 1883

This is Johan Hendrik Hoffmeister’s lithographic portrait of Karel August Willem Nicolaas van Saksen-Weimar-Eisenach. The lithograph presents a young Karel within an oval frame, rendered in delicate grey tones. Hoffmeister employs a meticulous approach, using the lithographic medium to capture intricate details. The young boy is formally dressed, with the artist paying close attention to the texture and form of his clothing, subtly modelling the fall of light. Karel’s gaze and posture contribute to the overall formality of the portrait. Within this composition, Hoffmeister subtly destabilizes the traditional portrait. The soft focus of the lithographic technique and the pastel tones create a muted effect. The portrait operates as a sign, not just of representation, but of the complex interplay between public image and private identity. It invites ongoing interpretation about representation, power and perception.