Portret van Christoph Ritter 1644

This is Elias Widemann’s portrait of Christoph Ritter, an etching now held at the Rijksmuseum. The portrait provides a glimpse into the visual culture of its time, reflecting the values and status symbols associated with privilege. During this period, portraits were tools used by the elite to assert their identity and solidify their social standing. Ritter's confident gaze, his attire and the trappings of wealth all signal his position within a rigid hierarchy. Yet, beyond the surface, we might ask ourselves what this image leaves out. Whose stories remain untold, and what power dynamics are at play in the creation and circulation of such images? Consider the role of the artist, Widemann, in shaping Ritter’s image. As the person behind the etching, Widemann had the power to influence how Ritter was seen, making choices about everything from his pose to his clothing. What does it mean to have your identity mediated through someone else's lens? How does this affect our understanding of who Ritter truly was, and what values he represented?