Portret van Ludwig Bernhard 1810 - 1825

Friedrich Wilhelm Bollinger created this print, "Portret van Ludwig Bernhard," using etching, around the late 18th or early 19th century. Prints like this one reflect the social and cultural importance of portraiture during this period, especially among the middle classes. This etching is not just a representation of an individual but an assertion of social identity. Made in a time of social and political upheaval, art institutions began to serve new roles in shaping public opinion. How did art academies determine whose work was worthy of display and preservation? How did patronage systems influence artistic production? What did it mean to be an artist in this changing world? Historical archives, letters, and institutional records can help us understand how these forces shaped Bollinger’s work and its reception. By examining these contexts, we can appreciate the complex interplay between art and society.