Portret van George, prins van Denemarken 1681 - 1746

Curator: Let’s consider this striking engraving, “Portret van George, prins van Denemarken,” a creation attributed to François van Bleyswijck. Dating from 1681 to 1746, it currently resides here at the Rijksmuseum. Editor: Oh, wow, talk about a serious hair day! It’s like a wig exploded. What hits me first is how… fussy it all feels. The curls, the lace. Was everyone this overdressed back then, or is this Prince George laying it on thick? Curator: Within the context of Baroque portraiture, that level of adornment wasn't unusual. The lace, the wig, and the hint of armor denote status and power. This image needs to be understood not merely as a physical likeness but as a carefully constructed representation of authority and legitimacy in a courtly setting. The rigid formality becomes performative in light of emerging social hierarchies. Editor: Hmm, "performative" is a good word for it. It does feel like he's acting the part, maybe even more so than actually being it, you know? Almost theatrical. Makes me wonder what he was like behind all that getup. Must have been itchy, too. Curator: We should remember, though, the limits of this medium. Engravings like this would have been reproduced widely. They weren't necessarily meant to reveal inner truths about Prince George but to circulate and reinforce the established order and his position within it. It’s an instrument of propaganda, if you will. Editor: Okay, propaganda with killer curls. Still, the artist has an amazing control over line and shadow. Those details on the armor are incredible! Curator: Bleyswijck demonstrates the power of line work to capture textures and volumes. And beyond pure aesthetics, these textures are not innocent. Editor: No, nothing’s ever innocent. I'm seeing power. A man who probably hasn't worked a day in his life. Curator: Precisely. It reveals the societal conditions in which that type of portrait became fashionable, while simultaneously showcasing an extraordinary talent for representing material status. Editor: I’m glad we looked closely at Prince George. Underneath the wig and the armor, there's a whole world of historical forces at play.