Portret van Karl Philipp Franz zu Hohenlohe-Bartenstein 1731 - 1788

This is Johann Esaias Nilson’s “Portret van Karl Philipp Franz zu Hohenlohe-Bartenstein,” an engraving. This portrait offers insights into the construction of identity and the representation of power within the 18th-century aristocracy. The elaborate framing and heraldic symbols work to convey the subject’s noble status. Karl Philipp Franz is adorned in the attire of his station. This formal presentation reinforced social hierarchies, dictating roles based on lineage and class. Nilson, as the artist, was commissioned to create an image upholding the established order. The use of allegory—note the figure, potentially representing fame or virtue—further elevates the sitter. The emotional impact might leave us contemplating the weight of expectation, the burdens, and privileges that come with positions of power. Ultimately, this portrait reflects and perpetuates the societal norms of its time, inviting viewers to consider the dynamic interplay between individual identity and collective representation.