Portret van Prins Frederik Hendrik Albert van Pruisen 1854

Editor: So, here we have Marie-Alexandre Alophe's 1854 graphite portrait of Prince Frederick Henry Albert of Prussia, residing here at the Rijksmuseum. There's something quite melancholy about the way the graphite renders the prince's gaze and shadows, almost like he is longing for something out of reach. What do you make of it? Curator: Melancholy is an astute observation. Perhaps the artist sensed a certain… weight? Portraits are never simply about capturing likeness. Consider, the swirling graphite almost gives him the quality of a phantom. Is it a celebration of royalty, or something more complicated? What do you feel when you see his face? Editor: It feels very...buttoned up, rigid. Like he's performing royalty rather than just *being* royal. Curator: Ah, there it is! Exactly! The layers of uniform and medals speak volumes, don’t they? Think about what the Romantic era meant at that time. Was it a celebration or mourning for bygone days? And where did Prince Albert sit within that cultural tide? Perhaps both at once. The shading and depth speak to something more internal too, don't you think? The almost wispy graphite strokes seem at odds with the subject matter. It adds to the feeling of internal struggle despite the grand exterior. What do you see that tells you of his duty? Editor: Definitely all the decorations and his formal pose. And the sword! I almost missed that. Seeing them altogether creates an undeniable image of duty and authority. Curator: So, perhaps this image contains his story in this time. Alophe brilliantly juxtaposes the fleeting nature of graphite with the enduring symbolism of royalty. What have you enjoyed most from our discussion, may I ask? Editor: I didn't expect a portrait to say so much. Now I feel like I know Prince Albert's essence in this single snapshot, thanks to you!