H. R. H. Princess Ingeborg of Sweden I 1900

Anders Zorn made this etching of H. R. H. Princess Ingeborg of Sweden, sometime between the late 19th and early 20th century. It is a demonstration of technical skill, but it’s also a glimpse into the social world of European royalty at a time when their power was under question. The image is built from a series of delicate lines. Ingeborg is depicted in formal dress with what appears to be ermine robes, a symbol of her status and power. This image creates meaning through visual codes of wealth and status. The setting, too, feels formal and staged. Zorn was a Swedish artist who became internationally successful as a portrait painter, often depicting members of high society. Here, the institution of monarchy is subtly presented and celebrated in the way the princess is depicted. To understand this image better, we can look at the history of European royalty and the role that portraiture played in shaping their image and authority. We can also look at the history of printmaking and the ways in which it allowed images to be circulated more widely.