Portret van Johann Lorenz Fleischer 1700 - 1749

Johann Friedrich Rosbach created this print of Johann Lorenz Fleischer, but its exact date is unknown. In the portrait Fleischer, a legal consultant and professor, dons the uniform of power in the 18th century: a large wig, heavy coat, and serious demeanor, all of which convey a sense of authority. During this period, such portraits served as important status symbols. They reflect the sitter's position within a rigid social hierarchy. Rosbach’s work captures the emotional register of 18th-century aristocracy, where outward displays of power, status and intellect were highly valued. Look closely at the book on which Fleischer rests his hand. It serves as a visual shorthand for his intellectual prowess and learnedness. By understanding how status and identity were constructed and performed in the 1700s, we can appreciate the subtle ways in which people have always sought to define themselves and their place in the world.