Portret van Johann Friedrich Julius Schneider 1802

Christoph-Wilhelm Bock created this portrait of Johann Friedrich Julius Schneider in an unknown year using etching and possibly other techniques. During this period, portraiture served as a tool for affirming status and memorializing individuals, particularly those of the bourgeois class. Here, we see Schneider, an instrument maker, rendered in profile, a classical pose often associated with formality. Yet, Bock’s choice to depict him as a tradesman also provides a glimpse into the cultural and economic values of the time, when the roles of skilled craftsmen in society began to shift. The etching technique, with its fine lines and delicate shading, allows for a detailed representation of Schneider's features and clothing, emphasizing his individuality and profession. Consider the broader historical context: as a tradesman, how might Schneider's identity and social standing influence his personal experiences? How does this portrait either align with or challenge traditional representations of people from this time period? It encourages us to reflect on the intersection of identity, labor, and representation in shaping our understanding of history.