Portret van August Johann Rösel von Rosenhof Possibly 1759 - 1765

This engraving is a portrait of August Johann Rösel von Rosenhof, made by Johann Wilhelm Windter. While the exact date is unknown, Windter was active in the 18th century. This image offers insights into the social and intellectual world of its time. Rösel von Rosenhof was a miniature painter, but also importantly a naturalist, known for his detailed studies of insects and amphibians. The inscription below the portrait links him to the natural world. The composition, with its emphasis on Rösel's refined features and elegant attire, speaks to the importance of social status and scientific study in 18th-century Europe. For historians, engravings like this can offer visual clues to the sitter's occupation and social standing. Further research into Rösel's life and work would reveal his place within the scientific community of his time, including his patrons and other institutions. Through this we can understand the social conditions that shaped his artistic and scientific endeavors.