Portret van Johann Georg Pertsch 1731

This print, made in 1731 by Christian Fritzsch, depicts Johann Georg Pertsch, framed by an oval of text. Note how Pertsch is also framed by his wig and a draped cloak. Framing, you see, is an act of ennoblement, a declaration of importance. Throughout history, the oval form has encapsulated portraits, becoming a symbolic echo of the Renaissance tondo. Think of the all-seeing eye, an oval of divine knowledge, or the mandorla, an almond-shaped halo surrounding Christ, signifying a sacred, protected space. The use of frames transforms mere portraits into something akin to reliquaries, safeguarding not just an image but the essence of a person. This act of preservation speaks to the deep-seated human desire to defy mortality, echoing across centuries and artistic styles. Each frame, each oval, carries with it the weight of history, memory, and the enduring quest for immortality.