Portret van Gottfried Schultz 1698 - 1729

Johann Tscherning made this print, "Portret van Gottfried Schultz," sometime in the late 17th century. During this period, portraiture was a powerful tool for establishing identity and status, particularly for those connected to the aristocracy. Here, Gottfried Schultz, positioned within an oval frame, is memorialized as an educated man, a doctor, and a member of the Leopoldina Academy, an academy for the natural sciences. The inscription tells us that he died in 1698, age 56. His gaze is direct, self-assured, and demanding of respect. The trappings of his status—his curled wig, drapery, and the inscribed plinth—underscore his social standing. Prints such as this were crucial for circulating images and ideas about identity, solidifying the subject's position in society and historical memory. The artist uses a traditional representation of power and status to represent the life of Gottfried Schultz. The artwork remains as a testament to the enduring human desire to leave a mark on the world and to be remembered.