Portret van Samuel von Pufendorf 1697

Samuel Blesendorf made this portrait of Samuel von Pufendorf using engraving techniques sometime around the late 17th or early 18th century. The print reflects the status and intellectual aspirations of its subject within the rigid social hierarchies of the time. Pufendorf, a German jurist, philosopher, economist, and historian, is framed by symbols of power and intellect. The laurel wreath and ribbon suggest academic and social achievement, while the prominent display of his coat of arms reinforces his noble status. The Latin inscription beneath further emphasizes his importance as an advisor. The portrait serves as a social document, reflecting the importance of patronage, social rank, and education in the period. By researching Pufendorf’s biography, his writings, and the social structures of the Holy Roman Empire, we can better understand the context in which this image was produced and consumed. It reminds us that art, even in portraiture, is deeply embedded in its social and institutional moment.