Portret van Frederik Willem II, koning van Pruisen op een krant gedrukt 1788

Theodoor Koning created this portrait of Frederik Willem II, King of Prussia, in print. The piece reflects the complex relationship between power, representation, and the dissemination of information in the late 18th century. It raises questions about how the media, even in its nascent forms, shapes perceptions of leadership and authority. It is also a reflection of the cultural fascination with royalty and the desire to capture and distribute their likenesses. The tearing and crumpling of the newspaper, which seems almost violent, suggests the tensions of its time. Consider what it means to encounter a king's portrait not on canvas hanging in a palace, but printed on ephemeral newsprint, and the effect this has on ideas of power and permanence. The piece reflects the transient nature of both news and notoriety, inviting us to reflect on who and what we choose to immortalize.