Portret van Constantijn Nikolajevitsj van Rusland 1850 - 1876

Carel Christiaan Antony Last created this portrait of Grand Admiral Constantin of Russia using lithography. At first glance, one notices the stark contrast between the dark uniform and the pale background, creating a sense of formality. Last uses line and shading to sculpt Constantin's features, giving depth to his gaze. The composition is classical, focusing on the upper body, drawing the viewer's eye to the subject's face and decorations. This portrait operates within a semiotic system where clothing and medals signify status and power. The artist subtly challenges fixed meanings through the softness of the lithographic lines, contrasting the rigidity of the military attire. It engages with ideas of representation and identity, subtly questioning the values attached to rank and nobility. The lithographic technique itself destabilizes the traditional notions of portraiture by allowing for a more democratic dissemination of images. Thus, this work functions aesthetically and as part of a broader dialogue about power, representation, and the evolving role of art in society.