Portret van Gottlieb Conrad Pfeffel 1787

Eberhard Siegfried Henne created this print of Gottlieb Conrad Pfeffel sometime between the late 18th and early 19th century. Pfeffel's confident gaze hints at the power he held as a court advisor and director of the military school in Colmar. This portrait provides a window into the societal structures of the time, where positions of power were largely held by men of a certain class. The details of his clothing, like the ruffled cravat and tailored jacket, speak to Pfeffel's status and role, but it might also suggest ideas about masculinity. How might a person's class affect gender expression? The rigid formality of the portrait encapsulates the constraints of 18th-century society, where appearances were carefully managed to maintain social hierarchies. In its emotional restraint, the portrait reflects an era defined by social expectations. We're left to wonder about the man behind the image, the personal experiences and emotions that remain unseen.