Medaillonportret van prins Frederik Willem Karel (1797-1881) c. 1810 - 1815

This marble medallion portrays Prince Frederik Willem Karel who lived from 1797 to 1881. Though the artist remains anonymous, this piece speaks volumes about power, identity, and representation in the 19th century. The prince is depicted in military attire, a visual declaration of his status and role within a highly stratified society. It invites us to consider the function of portraiture in immortalizing and idealizing figures of authority, perpetuating a narrative of dynastic power. Consider how class is literally sculpted into this artwork. The smoothness of the marble, the precision of the lines, and the idealized features of the Prince all contribute to an image of nobility and command. The whiteness of the marble itself speaks to the racial biases inherent in European portraiture of the time. This medallion not only represents an individual but embodies the complex interplay of power, identity, and representation.