Portret van Johann David Ludwig, graaf Yorck von Wartenburg 19th century

This is F. Richter’s portrait of Johann David Ludwig, graaf Yorck von Wartenburg. Richter’s portrait offers a glimpse into the life of a man who straddled the shifting sands of 18th and 19th century European power dynamics. Yorck's stern gaze and military regalia speak to a life steeped in duty and conflict, but also to the shifting allegiances and political maneuvering that defined his era. Born in Potsdam, Yorck’s identity was shaped by both Prussian military values and the complex web of European alliances and conflicts of the Napoleonic era. Refusing to serve under Napoleon, Yorck acted independently, defying his king and signing an armistice with Russia. Yorck’s story highlights the tension between personal conviction, national identity, and the shifting tides of power. His portrait, rendered with meticulous detail, invites us to consider the human cost of war and the enduring power of individual agency in the face of overwhelming odds.