Portret van Elisabeth Christine van Brunswijk-Bevern 1731 - 1788

This is Johann Esaias Nilson’s portrait of Elisabeth Christine of Brunswick-Bevern, made using etching techniques. The print captures the future Queen of Prussia within an elaborate frame that mixes symbols of royalty with pastoral imagery. Nilson was working during a time when the representation of women, especially those of noble birth, was carefully constructed to convey power, virtue, and dynastic legitimacy. Elisabeth Christine's poised gaze and opulent attire speak to her status, but they also hint at the expectations placed upon royal women, whose primary duty was to secure the lineage. Note the allegorical figures surrounding her portrait; they create a narrative of idealised femininity and power intertwined. Portraits like these were essential tools for shaping public perception and reinforcing social hierarchies, yet they also offer glimpses into the lives of those who navigated the complex web of courtly life. What does it mean to have your likeness circulated as a symbol of state? This print invites us to consider the personal within the political, reflecting on the weight of representation and the silent stories behind the crown.