Portret van Charlotte van Mecklenburg 1738 - 1815

This is a portrait of Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, queen consort of Great Britain, made as an engraving by Francesco Bartolozzi in London around 1794. The image is interesting because it reminds us of the role of royal portraiture in reinforcing social hierarchy. Consider the time in which this was made. The French Revolution had just happened, and the British monarchy would have been very concerned about their public image. Queen Charlotte is shown with the trappings of wealth and power, but also with an air of humility and grace. The soft lighting and delicate lines of the engraving create a sense of refinement, suggesting that she is a benevolent and cultured ruler. Portraits like these are rich sources for social historians. By looking at fashion, style, and symbols, we can start to reconstruct the values of the elites in this period. The institutions of monarchy and the social structure they reinforce come into focus through these kinds of portraits.