Portret van Otto Friedrich Butendach 1795

This is Johann Friedrich Bause’s portrait of Otto Friedrich Butendach, made using etching and drypoint. Johann Friedrich Bause produced this portrait during an era defined by social hierarchies, religious devotion, and the burgeoning influence of the Enlightenment. As an Evangelical-Reformed preacher, Butendach navigated the complexities of faith and reason. The portrait presents Butendach within a simulated oval frame. The nameplate below underscores his identity and vocation, emphasizing his role within the religious community of Lubeck. Religious identity had real political implications for access and rights. The texture achieved through etching and drypoint grants a delicate quality to the image, softening the starkness often associated with formal portraiture. This softness invites contemplation on Butendach's personal convictions and the emotional dimensions of his spiritual practice.