Frederik Bagger 1783

Meno Haas created this print of Frederik Bagger using engraving techniques. Haas, working in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, was an artist navigating a world undergoing massive social and political upheaval. This portrait offers a glimpse into the representation of power and status during that era. The subject, Frederik Bagger, is memorialized through the conventions of formal portraiture; his powdered wig and attire signal his belonging to the upper echelons of society. What does it mean to memorialize Bagger in this way? How does the portrait serve to legitimize and perpetuate the existing social hierarchy? Consider how gender and class dynamics play out here. Bagger's identity is constructed through markers of wealth and authority, reinforcing traditional notions of masculinity tied to social standing. By engaging with this print, we can reflect on the ways in which art both reflects and shapes our understanding of identity, power, and representation.