Portret van Adalbert, prins van Pruisen 1835 - 1899

This portrait of Adalbert, Prince of Prussia, was made by an anonymous artist. The image captures a man adorned with the symbols of power: a telescope, a naval uniform weighed down with gold, and a sword hanging at his side. Who was Prince Adalbert? He was a man of privilege, born into the Prussian royal family. His life was one of service to the state, particularly in the building of the Prussian Navy. What does it mean to be a royal? What are the emotional costs of a life lived in the service of the state? What does it feel like to bear the weight of expectation and tradition? And the artist? We know nothing about the person who created this image. Their identity is lost to history, a stark reminder of the power dynamics at play in the art world. Only one man is remembered here. The printmaking process allowed images like these to circulate, disseminating power and solidifying the narratives of the elite.