Johann Peter Hebel 18th-19th century

Editor: This is a portrait of Johann Peter Hebel by Johann Friedrich Wilhelm Müller. It's hard to pin down a date, but Müller was active in the early 1800s. What strikes me is the almost photographic realism achieved through engraving. What should we be looking for here? Curator: Note the inscription. This situates Hebel within the court. Consider the power dynamics inherent in portraiture of this era. Who had access to representation? How did these images reinforce class structures? What can this tell us about Müller as an artist and his relationship to the court? Editor: So, it's not just about capturing a likeness, but about power and representation. Curator: Precisely. Think about the lack of portraits representing other classes and the implications for understanding the social landscape of the time. Editor: I hadn't thought about it that way. Thanks! Curator: My pleasure.