Portret van Erhard Christoph Carl Wagner 1803

This engraving of Erhard Christoph Carl Wagner was made in 1803 by Christoph-Wilhelm Bock. In this period, portraiture was the domain of the elite, and to have one's likeness captured in print was a statement of status and legacy. The print is small, yet the details are finely rendered, showing Wagner in profile, his gaze steady and composed. There’s a formality to the portrait, reflecting the conventions of the time, yet the intimate scale brings us closer to the subject. Think about the power dynamics at play here. Wagner, likely a man of some influence, chose to have himself represented in this way, perpetuating a particular image of himself for posterity. Bock, as the engraver, was tasked with bringing that vision to life, navigating the social expectations of portraiture while also leaving his own mark on the work. In its way, this small print offers a glimpse into the world of early 19th-century European society, where image and identity were carefully constructed and disseminated. The portrait invites us to consider not only who Wagner was, but also how he wanted to be seen.