Portret van Karl Georg Heinrich, Graf von Hoym 1799

This is Gottfried August Thilo’s portrait of Karl Georg Heinrich, Graf von Hoym. The print, with its subtle gradations of tone, presents the count in profile, set within an oval frame. This formal device immediately recalls classical portraiture. Note the stippling technique, a hallmark of engraving, which allows for fine detail and tonal control. Thilo masterfully uses this to define the count’s features and the textures of his garments. The overall effect is one of understated elegance, befitting the count's status as a Privy State Minister. The inscription below the portrait serves to identify and further ennoble the sitter. The careful attention to detail and composition reflects the values of the Enlightenment era, where reason and order were prized. The portrait functions as a signifier of social standing, encapsulating both personal identity and cultural values within its structured form.