Portret van Albert van Pruisen c. 1837 - 1840

This is N.M. Schild’s portrait of Albert van Pruisen, located here at the Rijksmuseum. It is a print with a height of 220 mm and a width of 150 mm. The artwork is a masterclass in the use of light and shadow to create depth and texture. The artist's meticulous use of hatching and cross-hatching, builds a rich tapestry of tonal variation, giving a palpable sense of form to Albert's features and attire. The composition invites us to consider the broader context of portraiture as a symbol of power and status. By framing Albert within a delicate border, the artist underscores the subject's importance while subtly commenting on the constructed nature of identity itself. The visual language of the portrait, from the subject's gaze to the details of his military dress, operates as a complex system of signs that communicate specific social and political messages. The artwork challenges fixed meanings, inviting us to engage with the portrait as a dynamic site of interpretation.