Portret van Friedrich von Hagedorn 1759 - 1815

Heinrich Pfenninger created this portrait of Friedrich von Hagedorn through engraving, offering us a glimpse into the cultural and intellectual circles of the 18th century. The portrait, with its formal composition and attention to detail, reflects the values of the Enlightenment era, which emphasized reason, order, and the importance of individual achievement. Made in Switzerland, this image speaks to the significance of portraiture as a means of representing social status and intellectual prowess during that time. Hagedorn's attire, complete with powdered wig and buttoned coat, adheres to the conventions of aristocratic portraiture, yet its existence as an engraving suggests a wider dissemination of his image to the public sphere. To understand this artwork fully, we must consider the role of institutions like the academy and the printing press in shaping artistic production and reception. We can dive deeper into the social conditions that influenced both the artist and his subject through archival research, examining letters, biographies, and other primary sources. By doing so, we gain insight into the complex interplay between art, society, and history.