Portret van Frederik Willem III, koning van Pruisen 1780 - 1836

This is Johan Friedrich Schötter’s print of Frederik Willem III, King of Prussia. Schrötter made this print at a time when the visual representation of monarchs was essential for maintaining power and projecting an image of authority. Here, the King is presented with a degree of formality, yet there is a sense of vulnerability. His gaze is direct, but his expression is somewhat soft, hinting at the complexities of leadership during a tumultuous period in European history. The print invites us to reflect on the burden of leadership and the humanity of those in power. What does it mean to lead during times of war, and how do personal beliefs intersect with political responsibilities? Schrötter's work reveals the tension between the idealized image of a monarch and the lived experience of the individual.