Medailleportræt i profil af en mand 1778 - 1796

This is a portrait medallion in profile of a man made by Luigi di Giuseppe Grossi. The image presents a man with styled hair, capturing the fashion and aesthetic of the late 18th century. Consider the culture of portraiture in this period, when it was a common way for the elite to assert their status. Notice how the man’s appearance, from his powdered wig to the details of his clothing, reflect the social norms of his time. This medallion was made in Europe, a society deeply stratified by class and privilege. Patrons of art came from the upper echelons of society, a dynamic that affected not only who was portrayed, but how. The image subtly reinforces existing hierarchies. To delve deeper, one might look into the patronage systems of the time, exploring records of commissions and biographical details of both the artist and his subjects.