Portret van August Friedrich Wilhelm Crome 1796

This engraving of August Friedrich Wilhelm Crome was created in 1796 in Berlin by J.S.L. Halle. Crome, a government councilor and professor, is depicted in profile, framed by a ribbon-tied oval, a visualization of status and intellect during the Enlightenment. Consider the social currency of portraiture at this time, particularly for men in positions of power. The gaze, though averted, conveys a sense of self-assurance, characteristic of the era’s emphasis on reason and individualism. The meticulously rendered details in his wig and attire speak to the importance of outward presentation in reinforcing social standing. This image serves not only as a record of Crome’s likeness but also as a statement about the values and hierarchies of late 18th-century society. The emotional impact lies in recognizing how such images contributed to the construction and perpetuation of societal norms.