Portret van Johann Conrad Grübel 1809 - 1834

Friedrich Fleischmann created this portrait of Johann Conrad Grübel using etching and engraving techniques, sometime between 1791 and 1834. Grübel, a German folk poet, is captured in profile, his gaze directed towards an unseen future. Consider the historical context: Fleischmann, creating art in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, navigated a society undergoing immense change. The rise of nationalism and the burgeoning Romantic movement significantly influenced art and culture. Grübel, a man of the people, was celebrated as a voice for the common person, reflecting the era's growing interest in folk traditions and local identities. What does it mean to capture the likeness of a "folk poet" during this period? Fleischmann's rendering of Grübel elevates him, yet also seems to root him in his identity as a poet of the people. This portrait serves as a testament to the power of art in shaping and reflecting societal values, capturing the emotional and intellectual currents of its time.