Portret van Johann Gottlieb Friederich 1772

Johann Christian Gottfried Fritzsch made this portrait of Johann Gottlieb Friederich using engraving. The portrait shows Friederich, a preacher, in an oval frame with a book at the base. In 18th-century Europe, the Church was a significant social institution, often closely tied to political power. Portraits like this served to reinforce the social hierarchy, presenting figures like Friederich with dignity and authority. The book symbolizes knowledge, wisdom and enlightenment principles, all culturally significant. Produced in 1776, the engraving reflects the values of its time, such as the importance of religious figures in public life. It invites questions about the role of religious institutions in society. Historians might look into church records, biographical information, or other imagery of religious leaders to better understand the values of the society in which this portrait was produced and how Friederich might have fitted into that.