Portret van Johann Nicolaus Jacobi 1684

Johann Christoph Boecklin created this portrait of Johann Nicolaus Jacobi, using etching, sometime between 1657 and 1709. Boecklin was working in a period where portraiture served to solidify social hierarchies, capturing likeness and status in equal measure. Consider the act of representation itself; Jacobi, encircled by a laurel wreath, isn’t merely depicted, he is framed, celebrated. What does it mean to immortalize someone in print? It speaks to the power dynamics inherent in portraiture, where the artist and the sitter collaborate in constructing an image for public consumption. Jacobi’s gaze is direct, his posture composed, all conveying authority. These portraits were often commissioned by the sitter themselves, who were typically men of power. How might the narratives change if we had similar portraits of women and people of color from this era? Boecklin’s print offers more than just a face; it offers a glimpse into a world where identity was carefully curated and meticulously presented. It invites us to reflect on the stories that remain untold.