Portret van Ludwig von Borstell 1775 - 1840

This is Ernst Ludwig Riepenhausen’s portrait of Ludwig von Borstell. Although the exact date of the engraving is unknown, it offers a glimpse into the visual culture surrounding military figures in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Riepenhausen's rendering of Borstell, with his stern gaze and formal military attire, speaks to the construction of masculine identity during a period of political upheaval and warfare in Europe. The symbols of military honor, like the medals and elaborate uniform, underscore Borstell's status and valor, yet they also invite us to consider the human cost of conflict and the complex relationship between individual identity and national service. The portrait participates in a longer tradition which memorializes and idealizes military leaders. It encourages us to consider how such images shape our understanding of history and power, and how they reflect or challenge societal values around duty, sacrifice, and heroism.