Leibkutscher des Barons von Bethmann 1835

Carl Hoff made this drawing of the Baron von Bethmann's coach driver in Germany, likely sometime in the mid-19th century. It gives us a glimpse into the rigid social hierarchies of the time. The very act of creating a portrait, even a quick sketch like this, suggests a certain level of respect or perhaps even fascination with the coach driver on the part of the artist or the Baron himself. Consider the power dynamics at play here: the Baron, a member of the aristocracy, employing a coach driver. Hoff's drawing captures the image of a man who, while not of noble birth, still held a position of responsibility and skill. The driver’s uniform and posture imply a sense of professional pride. Art historians can use portraits like this, alongside estate records, social registers, and other documents, to better understand the nuances of class and labor in 19th-century Germany.