Portret van Johann Stuve 1794

This is a print of Johann Stuve, made by Johann Friedrich Moritz Schreyer in the late 18th century. Note how Stuve's image is presented: encased in an oval frame, rendered in profile, and bearing his name. This is a formal image, intended to convey respectability and status. Prints like this played an important role in the social and cultural life of Europe during this period. They circulated images of prominent individuals, contributing to the construction of fame and influence. The institutions of art—academies, print shops, and collecting societies—shaped artistic production. We must remember that these images don't simply reflect reality. They actively create meaning. What, then, does this image tell us about the values and priorities of its time? How does it reflect the social structures of 18th-century Europe? To answer these questions, we can turn to historical sources, examining the social and political context in which the print was made. Art history is the study of visual culture, and how social institutions shape what we see.