Portret van Johann Friedrich Jacobi op 62-jarige leeftijd 1774

This engraving portrays Johann Friedrich Jacobi at the age of 62, and was made by Johann Christian Gottfried Fritzsch around the late 18th century. Its cultural context is rooted in the Enlightenment, a period that emphasized reason and individualism. The image creates meaning through its visual codes, referencing both classical and contemporary ideals. Jacobi is framed in an oval, a shape reminiscent of Roman portrait busts, suggesting his intellectual status and importance. The bookcase in the background and the book in his hand also point to his intellectual pursuits. The inscription below the portrait indicates Jacobi's age, reflecting the Enlightenment's interest in science and measurement, also reinforcing the idea of individual achievement and recognition. Understanding this portrait requires an understanding of German intellectual history and the importance of institutions such as the Church. To better comprehend the artwork, scholars might consult archival documents, period publications, and biographical studies of Jacobi and his contemporaries. The meaning of the image is, as always, contingent on social and institutional contexts.