Portret van Johann Wolfgang von Wahler 1797 - 1850

Leonhard Heinrich Hessell created this print of Johann Wolfgang von Wahler, placing the man in profile within a simple oval frame. Made in the late 18th century, this portrait reflects a society deeply invested in representing status and identity through carefully constructed visual cues. The powdered wig, the cut of the jacket, the delicate ruffles at the neck—all speak to Wahler’s position within the social hierarchy of his time. This wasn’t just about personal vanity; it was about reinforcing and communicating social standing within a highly stratified society. To truly understand this image, we turn to sources that illuminate the period. Research into the history of fashion, social customs, and even the economics of wig-making can reveal how such an image functioned within its original context. The role of the historian is to peel back the layers of time, revealing the complex web of meaning embedded in even the simplest of portraits.