Portret van Gottfried August Bürger 1775 - 1840

Ernst Ludwig Riepenhausen created this portrait of Gottfried August Bürger in the late 18th or early 19th century. This formal portrait, in the profile view, speaks to the social and cultural norms of the time, where such images were important markers of status and intellect. However, looking closer, we might ask, what does it mean to be seen? Bürger, a prominent poet, is captured here in a very specific light, a controlled image that reflects the expectations of his social standing. How much of his true self is present? What aspects of his identity are intentionally highlighted or perhaps concealed? This portrait serves as a reminder of the complexities of representation and the power dynamics inherent in the act of seeing and being seen. It invites us to consider the layers of identity, performance, and social expectation that shape both the creation and reception of a portrait.