Portret van Franz Seraph von Lenbach 1856 - 1899

Johann Leonhard Raab created this print of Franz Seraph von Lenbach using engraving techniques. Raab, who lived in an era defined by shifting social structures, industrial progress, and burgeoning nationalism, was known for his skill in portrait engraving. Here, Lenbach is portrayed as a figure of intellectual depth, a status reinforced by his beard, spectacles, and contemplative gaze. Consider the power dynamics inherent in portraiture: the artist capturing and interpreting the sitter's persona for public consumption. Lenbach, a successful artist himself, undoubtedly had agency in shaping his own representation. The print invites reflection on the construction of identity in the 19th century, where one's social standing and intellectual prowess were meticulously crafted and conveyed through visual mediums like portraiture. The artwork operates within a tradition while subtly questioning the nature of representation and self-fashioning.