Portretten van Ferdinand I van Bulgarije, Alfred Krupp en Agostino Depretis before 1887

This is Willem Steelink's composite portrait of Ferdinand I of Bulgaria, Alfred Krupp, and Agostino Depretis. Executed in monochrome, it presents three distinct figures arranged in a formal hierarchy. The meticulous detail rendered through delicate lines captures the texture of each subject's face, hair, and clothing. Ferdinand I is prominently positioned at the top, his gaze directed confidently to the side, indicative of his status. Below, Krupp and Depretis are rendered smaller, their placement suggesting a supporting role relative to Ferdinand. The artist's choice to isolate each figure within the frame invites a semiotic reading. Each portrait serves as a signifier of power, industry, and politics. The arrangement reinforces a hierarchy, inviting questions about the relationship between leadership and influence. The formal composition thus transcends mere representation, offering a commentary on societal structures and the dynamics of power. This arrangement implies a constructed meaning, suggesting relationships and hierarchies that are not merely representational but conceptually charged.