Portret van Christian Friedel 1759 - 1800

This is Johann Gottfried Seutter’s portrait of Christian Friedel, made using engraving techniques sometime between 1717 and 1800. Seutter's work gives us a glimpse into the life and identity of Friedel, a merchant and councilor. Consider the visual language employed in this portrait. The detailed rendering of Friedel’s attire and the accoutrements of his trade, from the quill pen to the ledger, position him within the merchant class of the 18th century. We see the symbols of wealth and status carefully constructed to convey a sense of power and respectability. Simultaneously, these symbols might speak to the complex interplay between identity, social mobility, and the structures of power. What does it mean to inscribe one’s identity through the objects of trade? How do these material possessions shape Friedel’s sense of self and his place in society? The portrait serves as a historical record, a personal statement, and a reflection on the cultural values of its time. It prompts us to think about the ways in which personal identity is shaped by broader social forces.