Portret van Johann Caspar Ulrich 1754

Johann Rudolph Holzhalb created this portrait of Johann Caspar Ulrich using etching techniques, and its dimensions are 358 mm in height and 277 mm in width. In this period, portraiture served as a powerful tool to convey social status. Holzhalb's portrayal of Ulrich is no exception; the meticulous detail in his attire and the inclusion of scholarly attributes emphasize Ulrich's learned status. The portrait encapsulates the prevailing social structure of the time, reflecting the importance of education and intellect in defining a man's worth. Consider how Holzhalb, as the artist, might have navigated the complexities of representing Ulrich's identity while also adhering to the aesthetic and social norms of the period. What does it mean to be both an individual and a symbol of societal values? What does it mean to have your image immortalized in a time capsule like this?