Portret van Johann Friedrich Weidler 1687 - 1743

This is Johann Georg Mentzel’s “Portret van Johann Friedrich Weidler,” an engraving made sometime before 1743. The composition is dominated by the intricate details of the subject’s wig and clothing, meticulously rendered through fine lines. The texture created by these lines produces a visual rhythm, guiding the eye across the surface. The formal arrangement creates a semiotic space where status is encoded through visual cues. The elaborate wig, the tailored coat, and the inscription below function as signs of Weidler's social and intellectual standing. The engraving invites us to consider the relationship between representation and identity in the 18th century. The detailed lines and structured composition don't just depict a person, but construct an image of authority and intellect. The structure of the portrait becomes a means of conveying Weidler's place within the academic and social order of his time.