Portret van Lodewijk II, Koning van Beieren 1855 - 1902

Rogelio de Egusquiza rendered this portrait of Ludwig II, King of Bavaria, using graphite, showcasing a masterful control of tonal gradation. The composition centers on the figure of the king, his gaze directed slightly off-center, lending the portrait an air of introspection. Egusquiza employs chiaroscuro to model the king's face, achieving a delicate balance between light and shadow that subtly reveals the sitter's features and imbues them with psychological depth. The artist's focus on the texture of the royal garments, rendered with meticulous detail, contrasts with the relatively smooth background, thus enhancing the three-dimensionality of the figure. This contrast in textural rendering invites a semiotic reading. The soft focus on the background abstracts the setting and directs the viewer's gaze towards the king's person, particularly his face and royal attire. Here, the artist seems to use the classical portrait format to explore the tension between the individual and their representational role. The portrait, therefore, destabilizes the conventional understanding of power by emphasizing personal introspection over royal authority.