Charles XII (1682-1718), King of Sweden 1700 - 1750

This portrait of Charles XII, King of Sweden, was painted by David von Krafft, sometime around the turn of the 18th century. It’s oil on canvas, a traditional medium for royal portraiture, which served to create idealized, lasting images of power. Von Krafft’s technique is notable. Look closely, and you'll notice the smooth, almost porcelain finish of the King’s face. This would have involved many layers of glazes, each carefully applied and allowed to dry. The artist is deliberately showing off his skill, aligning himself with other master painters. Yet there's another story being told here: the King's uniform. Its simple design and muted colors deliberately contrast with the opulence typically associated with royalty, and with the fine labor that went into the painting itself. It speaks to Charles XII’s military persona, his focus on duty rather than courtly display. The painting is less about the individual than it is about the image of a nation at war. So we can ask, is this portraiture, propaganda, or something in between?