Portret van prins Balthasar Charles van Spanje 1837 - 1855

Johannes Christiaan d' Arnaud Gerkens created this portrait of Prince Balthasar Charles of Spain using an etching technique on paper. At first glance, the portrait has an aura of noble austerity, heightened by the use of monochromatic tones. Gerkens masterfully uses chiaroscuro to model the figure. The young prince emerges from a subtly lit backdrop, defined by sharp lines and shadowed areas that give depth to his figure. The use of line is meticulous, carefully delineating the contours of the prince's garments and facial features. The composition, while classical in its portrait format, subtly plays with contrasts. Gerkens, through his etching, invites a deeper reading, subtly questioning the fixed, hierarchical meanings of traditional portraiture. It serves not only as a historical record but also as a semiotic field where power, representation, and artistic technique intersect.