Friedrich Wilhelm III of Prussia (1770–1840, r. 1797–1840) 1810 - 1820

This is a small glass cameo of Friedrich Wilhelm III of Prussia, created by Désprez. The cameo is a fascinating window into the construction of power and identity in early 19th-century Prussia. The image presents the king in profile, a visual language that evokes classical antiquity and the Roman emperors, thereby associating Wilhelm with a lineage of power and authority. The meticulous detail in his military attire reinforces his role as a leader and commander. Consider the political context: Prussia at this time was navigating the Napoleonic era, a period of immense upheaval and transformation in Europe. How did Wilhelm, as a ruler, seek to project an image of strength and stability? How might this cameo have functioned as a tool for political messaging, circulating an idealized image of the monarch? Historians use portraits, letters, and administrative documents to better understand it. Such research reveals the intricate relationship between art, power, and society.