Portret van Adrian Zingg 1816 - 1875

This is Heinrich Merz's portrait of Adrian Zingg. Merz, born in 1806, creates an intimate portrayal using etching techniques. Consider the historical and cultural context of portraiture during the 19th century, especially within academic circles. Zingg, a well known engraver and etcher himself, likely occupied a particular position within society. This is seen through the formal composition, and the traditional attire of the sitter. However, the print also provides an interesting perspective on how artists viewed their contemporaries, and how they chose to represent them. The lines of the etching capture something personal in Zingg’s expression.