Portret van Albrecht van Brandenburg-Ansbach, hertog van Pruisen after 1630

This engraving of Albrecht van Brandenburg-Ansbach, Duke of Prussia, was made in the 17th century by Peter Troschel. The composition is dominated by the Duke's profile, encased in an oval frame adorned with inscriptions and heraldic symbols. The texture of the engraving is rich with fine lines that define the Duke's features, armor, and the decorative elements. The Duke's figure is rigid and imposing, set against a neutral background to emphasize his commanding presence. The frame around him includes text and emblems, reflecting the cultural codes of nobility and power. The lines of text, which narrate aspects of his life and lineage, function as semiotic markers, conveying his status. The artwork invites us to consider how formal portraits construct and communicate power. The emphasis on detail and symbolic framing serves not just as a record but as an assertion of authority within its historical context. It is through the careful arrangement of these visual and textual elements that the artwork achieves its intended effect.