Portret van Melchior Maag 1710 - 1747

This is Johann Ulrich Heidegger's portrait of Melchior Maag, an engraving made in Switzerland, likely around the mid-18th century. It presents a man of obvious importance, whose civic roles are listed beneath the image. Engravings like this played a crucial role in shaping social memory and solidifying status in the early modern period. Melchior Maag held a variety of powerful positions, from overseeing guilds to acting as a bailiff and council member. Note his fur-lined coat and the deliberate attention given to his beard; these are visual cues denoting wealth and authority. The text includes symbolic phrases related to living and dying. To truly understand this image, we need to delve into Swiss history, exploring the structure of its guilds and councils. Researching the Maag family and the specific roles he held would also reveal the social and political dynamics of the time. Art like this isn't just a picture; it's a window into a specific time and place.