Portret van Gottfried Müllerr op 71-jarige leeftijd 1741

Moritz Bodenehr created this print of Gottfried Müller in the 18th century using engraving techniques. The portrait offers insights into the identity and status of its subject, a pastor named Gottfried Müller. Consider the conventions of portraiture at this time, which often served to legitimize the social standing of the sitter through symbols of power, wealth, or piety. Müller is depicted holding a book, presumably religious, and he is dressed in the garb of his office, complete with the elaborate wig emblematic of the period. The weight of the expectations of religious office can almost be felt in the subject's stern gaze. Prints like these also played a role in shaping public memory and reputation. Note the text beneath the image, a dedication that speaks to Müller’s virtues and legacy. The print serves not just as a likeness but as a carefully constructed statement about his life, his work, and his place in the community, inviting us to reflect on how individuals are remembered and represented in history.