Portret van Heinrich Günther von Thulemeyer 1670 - 1713

This is Pieter Schenk’s portrait of Heinrich Günther von Thulemeyer, made in the late 17th or early 18th century. Consider the visual language of power embedded in this image. Thulemeyer, a professor, is rendered with symbols of status: his elaborate wig, the fine fabric of his clothing, and the classical imagery in the background all speak to his elevated position in society. Schenk’s work reflects the hierarchical social structures of the time, where portraiture was often used to reinforce class distinctions and commemorate individuals of significance. We might ask ourselves: What does it mean to be seen? And who gets to be seen in this way? While this portrait immortalizes Thulemeyer, it also implicitly excludes those who lacked the social standing to commission such a work. It prompts us to consider the complexities of representation and the stories that remain untold.