Portret van Leonhard Wagner 1669 - 1720

This is Johann Alexander Böner's portrait of Leonhard Wagner, etched with meticulous detail sometime in the 17th century. At first glance, the composition is dominated by a study in contrasts of light and shadow. A somber mood is conveyed through the intricate use of hatching and cross-hatching, typical of the era’s printmaking. The subject, positioned slightly off-center, engages the viewer with a direct gaze. The eye is led from the subtle ornamentation on the pillar behind, down through the textured layers of his garments to the book upon which he rests his hand. These are arranged to form a structured, almost geometric tableau, with each element contributing to a balanced yet dynamic whole. Look at the semiotic play here: the book and column are symbols of knowledge, power, and stability. The use of line and form conveys not just Wagner’s likeness, but the essence of his societal role and intellectual identity. It is a construction of self, carefully etched into the collective consciousness of the time.