Portret van Karel van Brunswijk-Wolfenbüttel 1785 - 1801

Hendrik Roosing made this print of Charles William Ferdinand, Duke of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel, in the Netherlands. The print is made using etching and engraving. This print offers insight into the politics of imagery of the time. The subject, a Duke, is seen in a classical oval portrait to signal his aristocratic status. It is a formal image in which the Duke’s finery and accoutrements are prominently on display. This imagery of status was deployed at a time of great social upheaval across Europe. The date of the print is unknown, though Roosing was active during a time of revolution and radical change in Dutch society. The Batavian Revolution, influenced by the French Revolution, challenged the established order, including the role of nobility. Understanding these historical contexts, as well as the patronage system and exhibition culture of the time, is crucial for interpreting the print’s cultural significance. Resources in the Rijksmuseum print room can provide further details about the techniques and cultural contexts that shaped this work.