Portret van Johann Heinrich Lochner 1715 - 1759

Curator: Editor: This is a print from somewhere between 1715 and 1759 entitled "Portret van Johann Heinrich Lochner," made with engraving by Georg Daniel Heumann. I am really taken by the contrast between the formal portrait of the man and the cherubic figures adorning it. What’s your take? Curator: I see a confluence of power, status, and mortality, typical of Baroque portraiture intended for a learned audience. The sitter is framed within a carefully constructed visual and symbolic language that communicates specific ideas about who Johann Heinrich Lochner was and what his position in society was. Given the inclusion of cherubs and skulls, what statement is being made, and who is the audience? Editor: That's a great question! I notice the cherubs, very light and airy, and then the skull right beneath Lochner's image. The portrait is also framed by foliage, making me think about the fleeting nature of life. It’s a dramatic contrast. Curator: Exactly. This piece is meant to operate on multiple levels. The inclusion of both classical elements—the cherubs, the Latin inscription—and explicit symbols of death, or *memento mori*, was fashionable in depicting learned individuals in the 18th century. The Baroque loved the theatrical. Do you think the skulls may symbolize a medical professional? Editor: Perhaps? If he was a physician, that certainly adds another layer. It’s fascinating to see how art reflects the social status and aspirations of its subjects and how this intersects with ideas about death and remembrance in public imagery. Curator: Indeed. The social function of the piece within its time offers an engaging insight into the subject and values of his community. Editor: I didn’t think about that initially, but your framing is definitely interesting and has really altered my view! Curator: Likewise; your close read of the visual contrast made me consider how stark those visual dynamics really are!