Portret van Benjamin Schmolck 1714 - 1763

Johann Benjamin Brühl created this portrait of Benjamin Schmolck using etching techniques. During the 18th century, portraiture was often used to assert the status and identity of the sitter, capturing their likeness and social standing. Schmolck’s identity as a pastor and inspector is affirmed through the inscription, which literally frames his image. The powdered wig and formal attire, signify his position within the church and the educated elite. Yet, it's impossible to ignore that the Protestant Silesian region where Schmolck preached was under the Catholic Habsburgs. As you look at this image, consider how the representation of religious figures can both reflect and shape societal values and power structures. Do you see the tension between the assertion of individual identity and the constraints of religious and political expectations? How does the artwork evoke a sense of the individual within the broader context of religious and cultural identity?