Male portrait 

Eugen Eduard Schäffer created this male portrait with graphite on paper sometime in the 19th century. This drawing, now held at the Städel Museum, presents an interesting case study in the role of portraiture within the social hierarchies of its time. The institutional history of the Städel itself is relevant here. As a museum founded in Frankfurt in the early 19th century, it played a key role in shaping artistic tastes and promoting certain ideals of citizenship. Portraits like this one served to immortalize individuals, often reinforcing their social standing. The sitter’s attire and posture, though casually rendered, suggest a person of some status. Understanding the nuances of dress codes, social roles, and artistic conventions of the period can shed light on the power dynamics at play in such images. By consulting historical archives and social histories, we can better understand the complex interplay between art, identity, and social structure. The meaning of this portrait is contingent on the social and institutional contexts in which it was produced and received.