Portret van Pascha Johann Friedrich Weitsch 1776

This is Daniel Chodowiecki’s etched portrait of Pascha Johann Friedrich Weitsch. Made in the late 18th century, it is at once a likeness and a statement about the sitter’s social role. Weitsch was a prominent painter in the German Enlightenment, and Chodowiecki uses visual cues to emphasize Weitsch’s profession and status. The oval frame, topped with a decorative bow, lends the portrait formality, suggesting the sitter's importance. Below, painterly tools such as a palette, brushes and a landscape painting allude to Weitsch's artistic skill. The clarity and detail of the etching reflect the Enlightenment’s emphasis on reason and observation. During this period, the art world was increasingly shaped by academies and public exhibitions. Portraits like this one served to celebrate individual achievement and contribute to the construction of artistic reputations. By studying period sources - letters, exhibition catalogs, and critical reviews - we can gain a deeper understanding of the social and institutional context in which this portrait was made, and its role in shaping Weitsch’s public image.