Portret van Jean Paul 1812 - 1832

This is Friedrich Wilhelm Bollinger's portrait of Jean Paul, made using etching and possibly other techniques. Bollinger created this portrait of Jean Paul during a period of immense social and political change in Europe, a time when the Enlightenment ideals were being questioned amidst the rise of nationalism and romanticism. Jean Paul, the subject, was a popular German Romantic writer known for his sentimental novels, which offered a stark contrast to the classical literature of the time. Bollinger, working in this milieu, captures Jean Paul's likeness and perhaps hints at the writer's complex emotional landscape. This portrait invites us to reflect on the shifting cultural values of the early 19th century and the rise of individualism which was so central to the Romantic movement. It also captures the essence of a man who, through his writing, touched the hearts of many, offering them a space for emotional expression and introspection.