Portret van Johann Rudolf Wettstein 1759 - 1815

Heinrich Pfenninger created this portrait of Johann Rudolf Wettstein using engraving techniques. Notice how the portrait is framed within an oval, set against a background of vertical lines that create a sense of depth and formality. The lines and oval shape give the portrait a structured, almost architectural quality, typical of formal portraiture during this period. Pfenninger uses line and texture to define Wettstein's features and the details of his clothing, the varying densities of marks creating areas of light and shadow. The inscription, set in its own frame, acts as a kind of plinth, grounding the image and reinforcing the subject's identity. This combination of image and text reflects the broader Enlightenment interest in classification, knowledge, and the representation of individuals within a structured framework. The portrait then, becomes more than just a likeness; it's a statement about identity, representation, and the social order.