Portret van I.G.S. von Gehlen 1794

Konrad Westermayr created this print of I.G.S. von Gehlen using etching and engraving techniques. The image embodies the Enlightenment era's values, celebrating reason and individual achievement. Made in Germany, it reflects the rise of the middle class and their increasing desire for representation. The very creation of printed portraits like this democratized access to imagery. Before, portraiture was reserved for the aristocracy, but here we see a professor commemorated in print. Consider the institutional context: who commissioned this print, and for what purpose? Prints were often made to circulate within academic or professional circles, serving as calling cards or tokens of esteem. Understanding the social conditions that shaped artistic production allows us to look at the image and see not just a likeness, but a statement about social identity and intellectual status. Museum archives, university records, and period publications can all help us understand this image more deeply.