Kong Hans 1841

Carl Peter Theodor Rothweiler created this print of Kong Hans using engraving. The portrait, framed within an oval, is dominated by a detailed rendering of the King's armor and fur-lined robes. The texture, achieved through dense, hatched lines, gives a tactile quality to the image. Consider how Rothweiler employs line to define form and convey texture. The face of Kong Hans is delicately rendered, capturing a sense of his character through subtle variations in line weight and density. Notice the contrast between the smooth planes of his face and the rough texture of his hair and clothing. This contrast invites us to think about the relationship between representation and reality, between the idealized image of a monarch and the material presence of the man himself. This print invites ongoing interpretation. How does Rothweiler's use of line, texture, and composition work to construct a specific image of power and authority?