Portret van koning George I van Groot-Brittannië 1714 - 1732

Editor: Here we have "Portrait of King George I of Great Britain," an engraving dating from between 1714 and 1732, by Arnoud van Halen. There’s so much going on! I find the composition really striking, with the framing and allegorical figures. What do you see in this piece? Curator: This image is saturated with symbols! Look at how George I is presented. Framed within an oval, he gazes serenely, crowned by the British Royal Crown above. Below, figures enact symbolic roles. To the left, Fame, wings spread, announces the king with her trumpet. And on the right, Justice holds her scales – carefully balanced, I observe. Consider how the artist aims to portray him, and how such visual choices reinforced his power. Do you see that narrative panel at the bottom? Editor: Yes, it's very small, but looks like some sort of historical scene being enacted. It’s interesting how different eras communicate the qualities of leadership. Curator: Precisely. This is about crafting a particular *memory* of his reign, associating him with justice, fame, and divine right. Van Halen uses this visual language to construct and perpetuate the idea of George I as a divinely appointed ruler, establishing a visual argument for his legitimacy, especially important given his relatively recent arrival to the throne. Editor: It's amazing to think about how artists were deliberately crafting these symbolic messages. I’ll never look at a portrait the same way! Curator: Indeed. It demonstrates the fascinating and manipulative power of imagery. Think about that next time you scroll through Instagram.