Penning met het portret van Frederik I 1711

This print at the Rijksmuseum was made by Bernard Picart, and captures two sides of a medallion with meticulous detail. The composition is neatly divided; one side presents a regal portrait of Frederik I, while the other features a classical allegory. The formal arrangement here reinforces a clear semiotic structure: the portrait, framed by an inscription, embodies power and authority, typical for royal portraiture of the time. The reverse, with its allegorical figure and Latin text, links Frederik I to virtues and princely munificence, drawing on established cultural codes to communicate his ideal qualities. Picart's skillful use of line and texture enhances the symbolic weight of the medallions. The contrast between the detailed portrait and the allegorical figure is not just aesthetic but also functional. The image invites us to interpret the relationship between power, representation, and idealised virtues in the context of early 18th-century European monarchy.