Caroline van Brandenburg-Ansbach in het kraambed 1727

This is Leonard Schenk’s print of Caroline van Brandenburg-Ansbach in Childbed, made in 1724. It depicts the aftermath of the birth of Princess Louisa. In this image, the scene is set to emphasize not only the birth, but the social and political theatre surrounding it. Childbirth was a fraught experience, especially for royal women, because a female heir could not inherit the throne. The gendered stakes of such births were extremely high. Notice the central placement of the mother in bed, surrounded by attendants and visitors. The image speaks to the intense scrutiny and public interest in royal pregnancies, where the production of an heir was a matter of state. The presence of the King and Queen of Prussia, acting as godparents, underscores the dynastic alliances and political dimensions inherent in royal births. Schenk's print captures a moment steeped in both personal and political significance, reflecting the complex intersection of gender, power, and succession within royal families.