Portret van Johann Jakob Stokar 1759 - 1815

Curator: This is a portrait of Johann Jakob Stokar, an engraving dating to between 1759 and 1815, created by Heinrich Pfenninger. Editor: It strikes me as a portrait exuding serious authority, almost severe, though softened slightly by the detailed, curling wig. Curator: Absolutely. Pfenninger created this print, and it is intriguing to think about who Stokar was, the role he played within society and how the politics of the time influenced its presentation. His gaze is very direct. What does that imply to you? Editor: It feels very performative, I see him presenting his status intentionally through this carefully crafted image. His collar and the medal displayed assert class and power in a world increasingly grappling with identity. Does the history tell us anything about the context surrounding its creation and circulation? Was he a public figure or within what power structures did he circulate? Curator: Exactly the right questions. During this era, print portraits served as key mechanisms for solidifying public image and disseminating power structures. Looking into Stokar's legacy through modern lens is something of vital significance. Considering how the act of representation plays into identity constructs is what intrigues me here, given he lived through revolutionary changes that altered what it meant to hold certain privileges. Editor: The print, by making him widely accessible also democratises him, so to speak, which I'm certain must have carried weight given the social and political climate of the day. Thank you for laying out such complex context so concisely. It allows one to appreciate what's represented but also why and to what end. Curator: My pleasure, examining how we use the visual to negotiate who we are as individuals is where it all begins.