'Frederich Christian Hertug af Sleswig Holsteen Sønderborg' 1796

Gerhard Ludvig Lahde created this portrait of 'Frederich Christian Hertug af Sleswig Holsteen Sønderborg' using engraving techniques. The engraving presents a formal composition. A full figure is anchored within a landscape and the symmetrical structure creates a sense of balance, almost mirroring the Duke's poised stance. The grayscale palette focuses the eye on form and texture. The etched lines define shapes and contours and describe the intricate details of the Duke’s attire and the setting. The background recedes into soft gray tones, pushing the Duke forward. The portrait uses a semiotic system to communicate power and status through attire, posture, and setting, reflecting the social codes of the time. The Duke is portrayed as rational and composed, and his garments are markers of identity and social standing, inviting reflection on the nature of representation and the construction of identity. The engraving invites us to decode these visual components.