Johann Baptist Lampi, ein Enkel des Künstlers 1814 - 1816

This is a portrait of Johann Baptist Lampi’s grandson, made by Lampi the Elder in the late 18th or early 19th century. The sitter's ruffled collar is quite telling, as it represents status, wealth, and belonging to the upper classes. Consider the ruff's evolution: from its origins as a modest neck covering, it blossomed into elaborate, starched confections. Across Europe, similar neckpieces appeared, evolving and adapting, yet always signifying a degree of social prominence. Even today, echoes of the ruff can be seen in fashion, hinting at a continued human desire to outwardly display status. The boy’s gaze is direct and self-assured. This confidence speaks to something deeper – a psychological need to present a composed self-image to the world. We see this echoed across time, from ancient Roman portraiture to modern-day selfies. The urge to control one's image is a powerful force engaging viewers on a deep, subconscious level, and in this painting, the boy’s eyes serve as a powerful anchor, connecting us to his humanity across the centuries.