Portret van Johann Peter von Ludewig 1720

This is a portrait of Johann Peter von Ludewig made with etching by Martin Bernigeroth, a German artist active in the late 17th and early 18th centuries. Ludewig was a noted jurist, historian, and professor at the University of Halle, in what is now Germany. The image is framed in an oval, surrounded by drapery, all of which served to elevate the status of the sitter and the institution with which he was associated. Ludewig’s elaborate wig, formal attire, and noble bearing, emphasize his social standing in a highly stratified society. The Latin inscription below the portrait further underscores his intellectual credentials and his position within the academic establishment. Understanding the image requires that we examine the social and institutional context in which it was produced. We might research the history of the University of Halle, the role of law and scholarship in 18th-century Germany, and the conventions of portraiture as a means of conveying social status.