Portret van Karel II, prins van Wales, als kind 1658 - 1677

This is Wallerant Vaillant's portrait of Charles II, Prince of Wales, made with mezzotint. Portraits of children, especially those of royal lineage, were powerful statements, reflecting dynastic hopes and the continuity of power. This image of Charles II is no exception. Yet the way Vaillant renders him invites us to consider the vulnerabilities inherent in inherited power. Consider the rich fabrics and elaborate lace, symbols of wealth and status, juxtaposed with the child’s soft features and hesitant gaze. Is this merely a depiction of innocence, or does it hint at the burdens and expectations placed upon those born into privilege? Think about how gender intersects here; the future king is presented in a manner designed to project strength, yet the youth's delicate features betray a certain vulnerability. Portraits like this often served to legitimize power, but also remind us of the very human lives at the center of historical events.