Portret van Johann Ludwig Grimm 1764 - 1779

This is Johann Elias Haid’s portrait of Johann Ludwig Grimm, made using etching and engraving techniques. Portraits like this one, commissioned in the 18th century, often acted as symbols of status and societal role. Grimm’s clothing and the meticulous detail in the print are indicative of his position, his identity rooted in his role as a prominent figure of his time. What might be less obvious is what’s missing. Where are the markers of race, class, or gender? While Grimm’s identity is clearly presented through symbols of status and societal role, the absence of other identifiers encourages us to consider the narratives that are excluded. It makes me wonder, what stories are being told, and whose stories are left untold? This image prompts us to consider not only who is represented but how the social and cultural context influences these representations.