Portret van Joseph von Sonnenfels 1743 - 1811

This engraving of Joseph von Sonnenfels, made by Jakob Matthias Schmutzer, showcases the conventions of its time through its symbols of status and intellect. The powdered wig, for instance, immediately places Sonnenfels within the 18th-century elite. Consider how this wig, derived from functional origins, evolved into a marker of power and sophistication. Its adoption echoes through history, reminiscent of the elaborate hairstyles of ancient Egyptian royalty, each curl and wave a symbol of authority. There is also the motif of the profile. This view is not merely a physical representation, but a calculated declaration of identity and cultural lineage. Echoing classical antiquity – think of Roman busts – the profile projects an aura of timelessness and intellectual gravitas. This is how the enlightened elite presented itself. Observe how collective memory and tradition converge, intertwining the visual language of the past with the aspirations of the present. Such cultural echoes remind us that images are not mere reflections but active agents in shaping our understanding of history and identity.