Portret van Johann Mayer 1787 - 1828

Wenzel Schuldes etched this portrait of Johann Mayer, a doctor, sometime in the late 18th or early 19th century. The most striking element is the profile view, a convention reaching back to ancient coins and cameos. This pose, favored for its clarity and simplicity, allowed for a distinct representation of the subject’s features. Think of Roman emperors immortalized on coins, their profiles instantly recognizable. The profile, however, is not merely about identification; it carries a psychological weight. By presenting only one side of the face, the artist invites us to contemplate the hidden, the unseen aspects of the sitter’s personality. This convention continues through Renaissance portraiture and beyond, evolving to communicate not just likeness but also status and character. The profile, therefore, is a potent symbol in the ongoing human effort to capture and understand identity.