Portret van August Willem van Pruisen 1787 - 1825

Friedrich Wilhelm Bollinger created this portrait of August Willem van Pruisen using engraving techniques. Notice the oval frame, a formal device that encloses and isolates the subject, focusing our attention. The subject's gaze, directed slightly off-center, creates a visual tension, a sense of space beyond the frame. The shading and fine lines define the contours of his face and clothing, lending a tactile quality to the image, and also conveying a sense of depth within the two-dimensional plane. Consider the semiotic implications: the formal composition and meticulous detail function as signs of status and power. The subject's clothing, every button and fold, is rendered with precision, reinforcing the values and social codes of the time. The interplay between the lines, shapes, and textures creates a dialogue, engaging in broader discussions about representation and identity. Ultimately, the print invites us to consider not just who is depicted, but how representation itself is constructed.