Portret van Moritz Nitzsch 1723

This is Moritz Bodenehr's portrait of Moritz Nitzsch, an etching created in the 18th century. During this period, portraiture served as a powerful tool for the upper classes to assert their status, achievements, and legacy. Consider the conventions of the time: Nitzsch is depicted within an oval frame, surrounded by inscriptions detailing his titles and affiliations. His clothing, the elaborate wig, and the heraldic symbols all speak to a life of privilege. The Latin phrases at the bottom translate to celebrating Nitzsch as a living example. The portrait memorializes his life and elevates him to almost mythical status. But what does it mean to preserve and immortalize certain figures while others are forgotten? What stories are left untold? This image invites us to reflect on the selective nature of history, and how it shapes who we remember, and who is left out of the narrative. This portrait captures not only the likeness of one man, but also a glimpse into the values and power structures of his time.