Portret van Johann Michael von Sailer 1761 - 1809

Johann Elias Haid made this print of Johann Michael von Sailer in the 18th century, with the use of black ink. Sailer's is an interesting face, one that seems very self-aware. His smile seems calculated, as if it were a political tool, used to establish a certain kind of social connection with his viewers. This piece seems very much like an exercise in 18th century celebrity culture. It reflects the way the printing press changed social life in Europe, allowing for the mass distribution of images of famous people. Prints like this one offer art historians a special opportunity. Because they are often printed with text and were widely circulated, they give us a chance to learn about how images shape public opinion, or how the image-making industries of the 18th and 19th centuries helped to form the cult of celebrity.