Portret van Berend Roosen 1790

Johann Christian Gottfried Fritzsch created this print, Portret van Berend Roosen, of an important merchant from Hamburg. Roosen is seated at his desk, quill in hand, in the act of writing, surrounded by ledgers, letters, and other documents. He has been captured in a moment of contemplation. What thoughts are running through his mind? The backdrop offers a glimpse beyond the confines of his study, opening onto a harbor scene bustling with ships and maritime activity, a direct reference to Roosen's global trading activities. The portrait also includes elements of Roosen's identity and status such as his powdered wig, his tailored coat, and the ornate furniture, which place him firmly within the elite merchant class of 18th-century Hamburg. This image, as a work of art, becomes an intersection: it is where commerce, identity, and artistic representation meet. It shows how the rising merchant class wished to be seen, and how they saw themselves.