Portret van Carl Ferdinand Hommel 1761

This print portrays Carl Ferdinand Hommel and was made by Johann Martin Bernigeroth. Hommel, a prominent jurist in 18th-century Leipzig, is depicted here amidst the tools of his trade: books, a quill, and an inkwell. The image reflects the Enlightenment era's emphasis on reason and scholarship, but it also serves to reinforce existing social hierarchies. Legal scholars like Hommel occupied a crucial space in the structures of power in central Europe. Note how the architecture in this print frames Hommel in a way that conveys authority. Prints such as this one played a vital role in shaping public perception, contributing to the construction of reputation and the circulation of power. Art historians rely on archives, legal documents, and publications from the period to understand the impact and social context of these images. Understanding the institutional setting helps us to consider how art both reflected and influenced society.