Portret van Filips Karel hertog van Aarschot, prins van Arenberg 1861 - 1863

This is a portrait of Philip Charles, Duke of Aarschot, Prince of Arenberg, made by Jan Frederik Christiaan Reckleben. It is a monochromatic print with a muted, soft texture that conveys a sense of historical distance. The composition is neatly divided into three horizontal registers. The top two show the Duke set against a subtly patterned background in an oval frame. The composition is anchored by the Duke's figure, his gaze and posture suggesting authority and status. Note the Duke's lace collar, the detail of his hair and his carefully groomed moustache and goatee. The third register contains the Duke's heraldic shield, symbolising his lineage and nobility. Within this formal structure, the print plays with semiotic elements, which reflect social hierarchy and power. The Duke's image is not merely a representation but a carefully constructed signifier of identity and class. This work invites us to consider how portraits function as both personal likenesses and representations of broader social and political structures.