Portret van Ferdinand VII, koning van Spanje 1781 - 1805

Alexandre Chaponnier created this portrait of Ferdinand VII, King of Spain, using etching, a printmaking technique. Ferdinand VII's reign was marked by political turmoil, including the Napoleonic Wars and the subsequent loss of Spain's colonies in the Americas. The image presents Ferdinand in profile, adorned with the symbols of his monarchy, from his elaborate garments to the chain of honor around his neck. This depiction is a testament to the enduring power of monarchical image-making, designed to project authority. Yet, beneath the surface, questions of legitimacy and control simmered, both in Spain and its colonies. The artist offers us not just an image of power, but a glimpse into the fragile state of a kingdom on the brink of immense change. It invites us to reflect on the relationships between representation, power, and the complex histories they embody.