Zelfportret van Christoph Daniel Arzberger 1781

Christoph Daniel Arzberger made this self-portrait etching sometime before his death in 1793. It raises questions about social identity and representation in the late 18th century. The image presents Arzberger in profile, framed by an oval border set within a stone-like rectangle, complete with symbolic vegetation. Born in Nuremberg, Germany, Arzberger would have been part of a society undergoing significant social and intellectual change, shaped by Enlightenment ideals and emerging middle-class values. This portrait reflects the period's interest in individual identity and self-representation. The choice of a profile view, the framing elements, and the inclusion of his name all contribute to constructing a specific public image. Further research into Arzberger’s life and the artistic conventions of 18th-century Germany would enrich our understanding of this portrait. Careful examination of the printmaking techniques used and study of the institutional context of artistic production in Nuremberg would provide deeper insight into its meaning and cultural significance.