Portret van Johann Kaspar Lavater 1779 - 1829

This is Carl Hermann Pfeiffer's portrait of Johann Kaspar Lavater, made with etching. The oval form containing Lavater's likeness immediately creates a sense of enclosure and focus. The gentle gradations of light and shadow, achieved through Pfeiffer's etching technique, give the figure a soft, almost ethereal quality. Consider how the oval format interacts with the rectangular shape of the overall print; this contrast sets up a play between containment and expansion. The subject, Lavater, is framed not just by the etched line but also by the philosophical currents of his time. Lavater was known for his work on physiognomy, the study of facial features to determine character. Pfeiffer’s meticulous rendering invites us to engage in our own act of interpretation. The print invites ongoing interpretations, reflecting the dynamic interplay between form and content, representation and perception.