Portret van Johann Rudolf Schmid von Schwarzenhorn 1634 - 1651

This engraving portrays Johann Rudolf Schmid von Schwarzenhorn, and was made by Elias Widemann. The portrait is framed within an oval that bears an inscription detailing Schmid von Schwarzenhorn's titles and roles. A hunting horn is depicted at the bottom of the oval. We can assume that Schmid von Schwarzenhorn was a member of the nobility in the Austrian Empire, and probably a keen hunter. Such individuals commissioned portraits like this to project an image of themselves as powerful, educated, and refined, suitable for members of the ruling class. The portrait itself is carefully composed to convey these qualities. Schmid von Schwarzenhorn's gaze is direct and commanding, whilst his fur-lined coat speaks of his wealth. Art historians use resources like genealogical records, studies of costume, and analyses of heraldry to develop a deeper understanding of portraits such as this one, seeing them not just as representations of individuals, but as documents of social and institutional history.