Portreet van Wilhelm Heinse 1818 - 1832

Friedrich Wilhelm Bollinger made this portrait of Wilhelm Heinse in the early 19th century. It's an etching, a type of printmaking that allows for detailed linework, as you can see in the delicate rendering of Heinse's features and clothing. This image speaks to the rise of the middle class in Germanic countries at the time. Heinse was a writer and intellectual, someone who made his mark through culture rather than birthright. The portrait, with its emphasis on his character and intellect, reflects the growing importance of the individual in society. The print itself would have been relatively affordable, making it accessible to a wider audience than a painted portrait. We can understand this work as part of a larger trend in the history of art, where the focus shifted from depicting royalty and aristocracy to celebrating individuals from all walks of life. To fully appreciate this shift, one would consult biographies, social histories, and studies of print culture. Art like this helps us understand the social and institutional contexts that gave rise to new ideas about who matters and why.