Portret van Albrecht Haller 1759 - 1815

This is Heinrich Pfenninger’s small portrait of Albrecht Haller. It measures 124 by 85mm and was made sometime between the late 18th and early 19th century. Pfenninger captures Haller in profile, a common way to depict men of status and intellect at this time. The small scale makes the print feel personal, like a miniature keepsake. It invites a closer look at the details of Haller’s face and clothing. What strikes me most about this image is how it reflects the social expectations of men during the Enlightenment. Haller, a physician, experimental physiologist, encyclopedist, Swiss aristocrat and poet, is presented as a figure of authority and reason. Yet, there's an undeniable vulnerability in his expression, a hint of the human being beneath the public persona. Ultimately, this portrait is a poignant reminder of the complex interplay between individual identity and societal role.