Portret van Karel Willem Ferdinand hertog van Brunswijk-Wolfenbüttel 1731 - 1788

Editor: This is "Portret van Karel Willem Ferdinand hertog van Brunswijk-Wolfenbuttel," a print by Johann Esaias Nilson, sometime between 1731 and 1788, here at the Rijksmuseum. It strikes me as quite formal, even theatrical, with all the Baroque and Neoclassical elements crammed together. What stands out to you the most? Curator: The layering! It's like a historical sandwich. We've got a Neoclassical portrait presented within a Baroque frame. Can you see how the idealized image of the Duke clashes beautifully with the more flamboyant decorations surrounding him? Almost like a duke filtered through someone's very vivid, possibly sugar-fueled, dream. And that cannon...what do you think that placement signifies? Editor: Hmm, maybe a reference to his military accomplishments? A symbol of power and authority nestled amidst the pretty floral arrangements. It feels a bit ironic, actually. Curator: Irony is the spice of life, darling, and also of art! And think about what a print signifies in this period. It's not just an image; it’s a tool of dissemination. Power isn't just displayed, it’s *multiplied* through these printed images that circulate and cement a particular perception. So, in effect, we're looking at the Duke's PR campaign! How delightfully Machiavellian. Editor: So it’s not just a portrait but also propaganda, almost like an early form of image control. I didn't think of it that way before! Curator: Precisely! And sometimes the most potent messages are cloaked in the most elaborate designs. Think of it as history whispering secrets in a gorgeous, gilded frame. Always question the frame, you see. What a lesson for us both! Editor: Definitely! I’ll never look at a portrait the same way again. It is definitely about the image AND its multiplication.