'Major General Baron Steuben' 1783

Curator: Let’s turn our attention to this portrait print of 'Major General Baron Steuben', dating from 1783. It's part of the Statens Museum for Kunst collection. Editor: My first thought? Austerity. It's all very controlled and proper, but with these little flickers of ornamentation in his dress. Curator: It does represent the neoclassical style. The Baron, a Prussian and American military officer, is depicted with a stoic expression, embodying enlightenment ideals of reason and order. Editor: He looks like he smells of lavender and secrets. I bet that oval frame is meant to contain him, but I'd like to know what’s boiling beneath the surface. I mean, why memorialize this guy? Curator: Steuben was instrumental in training the Continental Army, instilling much-needed discipline and strategy during the American Revolutionary War. So, in many ways, he was central to the foundation of a new republic. This print likely circulated to promote his contribution to the American cause, fostering national pride. Editor: Aha, so it’s political propaganda, only in a much more dignified package. Still, I find it cold. It's a reminder of how history often glosses over the complex realities of individuals in favour of tidy narratives. I’d be so curious to paint his eyes—they tell another story. Curator: Indeed. The print itself is an engraving. Reproducing the image would help broaden awareness. Printmaking enabled these Enlightenment ideas to be circulated throughout society. Editor: So he's not just a Baron, he's a brand. Makes sense. Although, something about that formal portrait within that rigid oval… I think he’s in on the joke. Just a hint, though. Curator: An astute observation. The Baron himself likely understood the power of image-making and its role in constructing legacy. Editor: A somber brand ambassador. Alright, I like him a little better now. Curator: This artwork highlights how even seemingly straightforward portraiture engages complex questions of identity, power, and historical narrative. Editor: Leaving us to wonder, what face do we show the world, and what remains unseen?