Portret van August Wilhelm Antonius Neidhardt, graaf von Gneisenau 1811 - 1875

Curator: Here we have a portrait of August Wilhelm Antonius Neidhardt, Graf von Gneisenau. The piece dates between 1811 and 1875 and is attributed to Albert Schule. It’s an engraving, characteristic of the Neoclassical style. Editor: It strikes me as very austere. The almost total lack of background, the severe expression... it certainly communicates a sense of authority. Curator: Yes, the artist's decision to utilize engraving is important here. The lines, the hatching, they all suggest a deliberate process, a control of medium fitting to Gneisenau's position. The material of the engraving itself becomes significant, a mass-producible medium spreading his image widely. Editor: Speaking of position, let's delve a little into the context surrounding Gneisenau. He was a prominent Prussian field marshal who was very critical of his state in the first decade of the 19th century and played a crucial role in the Prussian army's reform movement and the victory over Napoleon. His medals and formal dress aren’t simply about military status; it's about the construction of national identity and the heroification of military figures at this time in Prussian history. Curator: Absolutely. Considering the neoclassical style, it’s a choice that elevates Gneisenau, drawing parallels to Roman ideals of leadership and civic virtue. The engraving process allowed for reproductions, creating and distributing a tangible image of national pride through consumer culture. Editor: What's fascinating is that it also normalizes these ideals. Through mass production, his image becomes interwoven into the fabric of everyday life, quietly reinforcing gender roles and expectations of duty to one’s nation. Even details like his somewhat romanticized hair speak to trends in masculinity and presentation of power during that era. Curator: And if we look closer, the precise details, even the texture of his uniform is painstakingly rendered via the engraving. It's a clear display of labor and skill—demonstrating both technical mastery, but also making it visible, tangible. Editor: A visual representation of Gneisenau, yes, but also a product that encapsulates broader themes of Prussian history, social structure and the evolving ideas of militarism. It offers valuable insights into how leadership and heroism are actively shaped and distributed via visual culture. Curator: Indeed. Looking at the material choices and processes opens a deeper understanding. Editor: Definitely makes you rethink the politics embedded in what at first seems to be a formal portrait!