Portret van Carl Johann Heise op 47-jarige leeftijd 1757 - 1769

Editor: Here we have Christian Fritzsch's engraving, "Portret van Carl Johann Heise op 47-jarige leeftijd," dating from sometime between 1757 and 1769. There's a certain formality to it, wouldn't you say? He's depicted with these incredibly detailed books. What grabs your attention about it? Curator: It's fascinating how this engraving transforms labour into status. Consider the engraver's craft – the skill required to render such minute details, the time invested. This speaks to the social value placed on skilled handiwork, even as it serves to elevate the sitter, a clergyman, through association with intellect and learning. The book isn’t just a prop, it’s a carefully rendered object testifying to artisanal expertise and, ultimately, Heise’s position within a literate elite. Editor: So, it's less about Heise himself and more about the conditions that allowed this image to exist? Curator: Precisely! We can explore the very act of production. The creation and distribution of such portraits played a vital role in constructing social hierarchies and disseminating power. The labour embedded in producing this image serves to both reflect and reinforce the structures of 18th-century society, from the individual artisan all the way to the Church. What was the market for these engravings? Editor: I suppose it was for the educated elite, who had the means to commission or purchase such portraits. I hadn't considered how much labor goes into making an engraving like this, it changes how I look at it. Curator: Indeed. Examining the material processes unveils layers of meaning often overlooked when we focus solely on representation. Now we see this engraving less as an image *of* Heise, but an image *by* a network of labor relationships. Editor: This gives me a lot to consider in future analysis; I appreciate the guidance.