Portret van koning George I van Griekenland before 1885

This is a print of King George I of Greece, made at an unknown date by an anonymous artist. Let’s consider the social and cultural context in which the image of George I was produced and circulated. Looking closely, the print offers a portrait of a European monarch, dressed in military attire, complete with epaulettes and sash. It was made in the broader context of European powers exerting influence in the Balkans. George I himself came from the Danish royal family, brought in to rule Greece under the auspices of Great Britain. This print reflects the political situation of Greece at the time: nominally independent, but in reality under the sway of European powers. How would the people of Greece have reacted to this image? To fully understand this print, a historian would consult archives, political documents, and other printed materials. Approaching it in this way, the image of King George I comes to represent the complex interplay of local, national, and international forces.