Portret van koning Frederik II de Grote van Pruisen 1777 - 1821

Hendrik Leffert Meyling created this print of King Frederick II of Prussia, capturing the essence of leadership through carefully chosen symbols. Encircling the king is an oval frame, a motif echoing ancient Roman portraiture, signaling power and authority. This recalls the Roman "imago clipeata", where portraits were framed within shields or circular forms, meant to evoke imperial strength and divine protection. But this symbol didn’t just appear out of nowhere; it evolves. In medieval times, we see similar framing in religious icons, conferring sanctity. The circle, an archetypal symbol of wholeness and eternity, subtly reinforces Frederick’s image as a timeless, enduring ruler. Note also his gaze: direct, unwavering, a projection of confidence. Such potent imagery doesn't just disappear, it is instead reborn, adapting to each age, bearing witness to the cyclical nature of history.