Portret van Jacobus Frans Eduard Stuart 1692

Gérard Edelinck created this engraving titled 'Portret van Jacobus Frans Eduard Stuart', or 'Portrait of James Francis Edward Stuart', using etching tools. Portraits of children are rarely just portraits of children. They are often statements about the families, class and power structures that surround them. Here, we see James Francis Edward Stuart, son of King James II, adorned in finery, a visual claim to his birthright as heir to the throne of England. The portrait is framed by an inscription, which proudly declares his birth at St. James Palace. Medallions of Scottish and English symbols flank the portrait. Yet, this image of royal succession was immediately embroiled in political and religious controversy, as James II's Catholic faith and dynastic ambitions were opposed by many in England. This portrait, therefore, is more than just an image; it is a carefully constructed statement of identity and legitimacy, made at a time of profound political and religious tension. How do you think such an image might function today, in a world still grappling with issues of identity, power, and representation?