Portret van Wilhelm Friedrich Hufnagel 1790

Christoph-Wilhelm Bock rendered this print of Wilhelm Friedrich Hufnagel using engraving. Note the stark contrast of black lines against the stark white paper. The composition centers on the sitter’s profile encased within a perfect circle, a formal device that lends the portrait an air of classical purity. Bock masterfully uses line and texture to model the face, capturing the subtle contours and textures of skin and hair. Observe how each delicate stroke works in concert to define the structure of Hufnagel’s features and the volume of his powdered wig. The inscription below the portrait is not merely descriptive but functions as an integral part of the design, mirroring the curve of the portrait above and anchoring it. The text below the portrait lends balance to the composition, and emphasizes the formal elements which contribute to its overall visual harmony. This is more than a likeness; it is a study in the art of representation itself.