Portret van Karel Lodewijk Johan, landvoogd der zuidelijke Nederlanden 1796 - 1802

François Bonneville created this portrait of Charles Louis John, governor of the Southern Netherlands, using engraving techniques. The image is a window into the world of European aristocracy during a time of significant political and social upheaval. Charles Louis, an Austrian Field Marshal General, is presented here through the lens of his social standing. Yet, his position as governor cannot be divorced from the legacies of colonialism and the shifting power dynamics of the era. How did people perceive this figure of authority? What impact did his rule have on the lives of everyday people in the Southern Netherlands? Bonneville's print invites us to reflect on the relationship between power, representation, and identity. It serves as a reminder of the complex histories embedded in portraiture. The image is not merely a depiction but also a reflection of the social structures and the personal stories that shape our world.