Portret van Johann Anton von Pergen 1749 - 1796

This is Johann Ernst Mansfeld's "Portret van Johann Anton von Pergen," an engraving on paper. The print depicts a member of the Austrian aristocracy, a man who would have been part of the powerful elite shaping the Habsburg Empire during the late 18th century. Consider the visual language of power: the elaborate garments, the erect posture, and the proud gaze. This portrait isn’t just a likeness; it's a statement of identity and status. The Austrian aristocracy had a complex relationship with the Enlightenment ideals circulating at the time. On one hand, they benefited from a system steeped in tradition and hierarchy, yet on the other, some members engaged with new ideas about reason and reform. How did individuals like Johann Anton von Pergen navigate these tensions? What was the human cost of maintaining such rigid social structures? This print invites us to consider the emotional and personal dimensions of a life lived at the intersection of privilege and historical change.