Portret van Heinrich Gottlieb Francke 1784

This engraving of Heinrich Gottlieb Francke was produced by Johann Christoph Nabholz, it is now part of the collection at the Rijksmuseum. Francke, a professor of moral politics, is framed within an oval, complete with decorative laurel leaves. Prints like this reflect eighteenth-century society where status was paramount, and appearances were carefully managed. Francke's powdered wig and formal attire speak to his position within the academic and social hierarchy of Leipzig. The very act of commissioning and creating such a portrait reinforced his identity as a learned and influential figure. This image provides insight into the visual strategies used to convey authority and intellect during the Enlightenment era. It invites us to consider how portraiture serves not just as a record, but as a social performance, where identity is consciously constructed and communicated to the world.