Portret van Christoph Wegleiter 1669 - 1726

Johann Conrad Reiff made this portrait of Christoph Wegleiter, likely in Nuremberg, using engraving techniques. The stark contrast achieved through the incised lines defines the subject’s form and character. Note the way Reiff articulates Wegleiter's voluminous wig and somber robes through the density and direction of the lines. The labor-intensive process of engraving – cutting lines into a metal plate, inking it, and then pressing it onto paper – mirrors the subject's professional life, requiring patience, precision, and meticulous attention to detail. This print, made using a process that demanded skilled labor, portrays a man of the cloth, further connecting the artwork to the social fabric of its time. Considering the materials, making, and historical context allows us to look beyond the mere representation and appreciate the artwork's deeper cultural and social significance.