Portret van Adalbert, prins van Pruisen 1835 - 1899

This small print of Adalbert, Prince of Prussia, was made in the 19th century by an artist known only by the initials S.T. In this formal portrait we see the prince in military attire, a visual language of power and authority very familiar to European society at the time. Adalbert was a prominent figure in the Prussian navy, so his military dress is not unexpected, but it does speak to the role of the monarchy in upholding military values, and it suggests a world in which royal status and military power were closely aligned. As such, the artist may have been making a statement about the importance of the monarchy in Prussia, or simply reinforcing existing social structures. Understanding this image means researching the visual codes of 19th century military portraiture. It also requires study of the institutions that supported the production and circulation of such imagery. The Rijksmuseum's own archives can shed light on the role of the image in shaping public perceptions of power and class at the time.