Portret van Frederik II van Pruisen c. 1740 - 1760

Curator: This print, residing here at the Rijksmuseum, is cataloged as "Portret van Frederik II van Pruisen," dating roughly from 1740 to 1760. It’s an engraving, a rather fine example of Baroque portraiture, though attributed to an anonymous artist. Editor: It feels terribly serious, doesn’t it? The detail is stunning for an engraving, like looking at a coin up close, and that gaze…a ruler assessing his domain. Curator: Absolutely. Consider Frederick II's historical position: a complex figure during the Enlightenment. We see him framed by this ornate oval, inscribed with his titles—a deliberate construction of power. This portrait, reproduced as a print, allowed for wide dissemination of his image, cementing his authority across Prussia and beyond. The inscription underneath would also solidify him as a thinking royal and military leader in the eye of his people. Editor: That puffy shirtfront peeking out...I find myself wanting to mess it up. His eyes are definitely piercing, yet there’s a certain softness there, too. He looks almost a little afraid to me; a slight air of uncertainty to his power, you know? Is it the softness that’s adding to that feeling of uncertainty? Curator: A fascinating interpretation! From a cultural studies perspective, that 'softness' might represent an attempt to temper his image, aligning with Enlightenment ideals of the philosopher-king, a stark contrast to previous, more militaristic representations. Editor: And what of the artist? It's anonymous, of course. Makes me wonder how they felt making this. Did they secretly want to add a tiny, mischievous detail, something subversive amidst all this formal stoicism? I wonder. Curator: An important point about authorship and agency. Considering the period, artists creating images of rulers operated under significant constraints. The anonymity might be a protective measure, yet it doesn't negate the artist's skill in crafting this very deliberate, powerful image. Editor: Well, anonymous or not, it definitely leaves you thinking, doesn’t it? A frozen moment in time, carefully crafted, yet full of unexpected possibilities and feelings. Curator: Indeed. It encapsulates the tensions of its era. Hopefully we’ve offered some ideas to our listeners who can, themselves, use these images for social and historical inquiry.