Portret van Dudley Carlton 1855 - 1857

Jan Frederik Christiaan Reckleben created this portrait of Dudley Carlton using printmaking techniques. Reckleben's print offers a glimpse into the hierarchies of 19th-century European society. During this period, portraiture served not only as a means of documentation, but also as a tool for constructing and reinforcing social status. Reckleben, who was born in the Netherlands, would have been well aware of the power dynamics inherent in portraiture. Consider how gender and class intersect in this image. Carlton, presumably a man of some standing given the presence of a coat-of-arms, is depicted with a certain degree of formality. As you gaze into Carlton's eyes, you're invited to engage with his identity, but also reflect on the artist's role in shaping the perception of that identity. While Reckleben's work adheres to certain traditional conventions of representation, it also offers an opportunity to explore the complexities of identity, power, and representation in 19th-century European society.