Portret van Johann Wolfgang von Goethe 1808 - 1868

Carl Mayer created this print of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe using etching and engraving techniques. Goethe, a towering figure of German literature and intellectual life, is presented here within the conventions of portraiture that served to immortalize prominent individuals. The image conveys meaning through visual codes tied to social status and cultural achievement. Made in Germany, likely in the early 19th century, it reflects the cultural significance attached to figures like Goethe, who contributed to the burgeoning sense of German national identity through his literary works. Institutions like the court and the university helped establish and maintain certain aesthetic and cultural standards. This portrait serves as a visual representation of Goethe's elevated status. It perpetuates the cultural values of the time. To fully appreciate this artwork, a historian delves into biographical sources about both Goethe and Mayer. Research into the cultural and institutional contexts will reveal a more comprehensive understanding of its meaning. This will show the interplay of social forces that shaped artistic production and reception.