Portret van Friedrich Halm 1840

Franz Xaver Stöber created this portrait of Friedrich Halm using lithography. The portrait captures Halm, an Austrian playwright and poet, in a style that reflects the 19th-century societal emphasis on intellect and public identity. Halm, born Karl von Münch Bellinghausen, adopted his pen name to, in a way, reinvent himself through his art. Here, his carefully styled hair and formal attire speak to the performative aspects of identity. Stöber's lithograph reflects a moment in history where public image and artistic expression were deeply intertwined with personal and professional identity. Consider the emotional depth conveyed in Halm’s gaze. This portrait is a study in how individuals construct themselves through both artistic expression and public presentation. It also points to the complexities of navigating societal expectations around identity and profession.