Portret van August Willem van Pruisen 1791

Meno Haas created this portrait of August Willem van Pruisen using engraving techniques. The composition is tightly framed, dominated by an oval portrait set against a rectangular backdrop filled with dense, linear patterns. This contrast creates a visual tension, a play between organic form and geometric abstraction. Haas masterfully uses the engraving technique to render textures, from the delicate curls of the wig to the intricate details of the Prince's attire. The portrait, with its formal pose and detailed rendering, embodies the values of representation and social hierarchy. Yet, the surrounding geometric pattern destabilizes the established meanings of the portrait, challenging the fixity of representation and suggesting an underlying structure. Ultimately, the engraving is not just a representation of a person, but a complex interplay of signs, a structured composition that invites ongoing interpretation.