Portret van Christoph Wilhelm von Hufeland 1814 - 1829

This is Johann Georg Nordheim's portrait of Christoph Wilhelm von Hufeland. The somber monochrome is set against the bright paper. The composition centres on the figure, tightly framed within an engraved rectangle and decorative borders. The texture is achieved through the meticulous application of fine lines and stippling, giving depth to the subject's face and clothing. The artist’s focus on the play of light and shadow across Hufeland’s features creates a striking realism. This contrasts with the stylised swirls and the lettering beneath the portrait. Nordheim seems to be engaging with the semiotic codes of portraiture, but the subject's gaze avoids a fixed reading. The portrait invites viewers to consider the interplay between surface appearance and underlying character, leaving the meaning open to interpretation. The tension between its aesthetic form and the cultural connotations of the figure makes it a fascinating subject for ongoing exploration.