Portret van Christian Wolff 1735

Curator: Before us we have "Portret van Christian Wolff," an etching on paper created around 1735 by Christian Fritzsch. It’s currently held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum. Editor: My first thought? Regal meets slightly… bewildered. The baroque detailing is stunning but that wig is epic in its own right. It kind of demands you take him seriously, while also making you wonder if he can see properly. Curator: The piece aligns very much with the historical conventions of portraiture for important academic figures in that period. Christian Wolff was a prominent philosopher and this print served to disseminate his image and, therefore, his authority, amongst intellectual circles. Editor: That makes total sense, he's presented like a prize-winning poodle, albeit a poodle holding profound secrets of the universe. The formal lettering above, and the cartouche below feel like an extra declaration of status, with every last detail working to elevate his image. Curator: The formal qualities reflect not just Wolff’s status but also the institutional function of art at the time. Prints like these acted as early forms of mass media, creating accessible representations of powerful and influential figures. Editor: In terms of craft, the use of hatching to describe the wig alone must have taken ages, and for the time it would have been groundbreaking stuff. The oval border around the main man feels more organic and lively. Like, perhaps Wolff briefly escaped from a more rigid plane of existance. Curator: Well, in summary, we're given an excellent insight into the way engravings acted as tools of influence, carefully crafting perceptions around specific individuals of the era. Editor: Definitely! Beyond that though, it highlights just how fashion choices affect perceptions! Now, excuse me, while I find a similar wig and go invent philosophy...