Portret van Johann Gottfried Jakob Hermann 1832 - 1869

This is Gustav Schlick’s portrait of Johann Gottfried Jakob Hermann, made in the early nineteenth century. The portrait is a lithograph, a relatively new medium at the time, that allowed for the mass production of images. This made it possible for images of prominent figures like Hermann, a professor at the University of Leipzig, to be widely disseminated. The portrait itself speaks to the rising status of academics and intellectuals in German society during this period. It also reflects the growing importance of universities as centers of knowledge and cultural authority. The presence of the medal could reflect Hermann’s intellectual achievements as well as the relationship between the university and the state. To further understand Schlick’s work, we might consult university archives, periodicals, biographies of intellectuals, and histories of German institutions. These kinds of resources can help us understand the social and cultural context in which it was made.