Portrait of the Postillion Johann Heinrich Matheis 1800 - 1865

Gerhardt Wilhelm von Reutern drew "Portrait of the Postillion Johann Heinrich Matheis," using graphite on paper. Painted during the 18th and 19th centuries, portraits were often commissioned by the wealthy to illustrate power and status. Here, however, Reutern presents us with a working-class subject. Matheis's open gaze draws us in, while his clothing signifies his occupation as a postilion, a messenger who would have ridden on horseback or in a coach delivering mail. But what does it mean to make a portrait of someone who wouldn't normally have their portrait made? Reutern, who came from a privileged background, turned to art after an injury sustained during the Napoleonic Wars. The sensitivity of the drawing suggests a deep respect for the sitter. This portrait invites us to consider the lives and stories of those often overlooked in traditional art historical narratives. It reminds us that every individual, regardless of their social standing, possesses a unique history and inherent worth.