Portret van Karl von Drachsdorf 1767 - 1843

Johann Carl Bock made this print of Karl von Drachsdorf, though the exact date isn't known. It's a reminder of how portraiture served the elite in the 18th and early 19th centuries. Prints like these circulated widely in Europe. They helped to solidify social hierarchies by depicting powerful individuals such as Karl von Drachsdorf, presumably a man of some standing in society. The oval format, the fine details of his clothing, and even his stern expression all contribute to an image of authority and respectability. Prints such as these reflected and reinforced the values of the time. They offer insights into the social and political structures of European society. The Rijksmuseum’s holdings, along with period directories and genealogical records, help us to reconstruct Drachsdorf’s place in that society. In the end, studying this print gives us a window onto a world of power, status, and social ambition.