Spiegel met een portret van Prinses Carolina 1757

This is Christiaan Schröder's "Mirror with a portrait of Princess Carolina," an intimate object reflecting the tastes and social structures of its time. As a princess, Carolina occupied a unique position, both powerful and constrained by societal expectations. A mirror bearing her likeness invites us to consider themes of identity, status, and self-perception within the aristocracy. What does it mean to be a woman of influence, yet confined by the protocols of royalty and perhaps, marriage? The ornate frame and refined portrait speak to the luxury and formality of court life. A mirrored portrait, instead of a painting, brings to mind a meditation on the self, and one wonders if Princess Carolina ever used this mirror to reflect on her role, her image, and her identity. This object prompts us to consider how historical figures navigated the intersections of personal identity and public duty.