Portret van Cornelius Poppe 1742

This engraving of Cornelius Poppe was made by Christian Fritzsch in the 1700s. The portrait, with its ornate frame, illustrates more than just an individual; it speaks to the cultural values of the time, particularly around social standing and representation. Consider how class is communicated in this era. Poppe's attire, the detailed rendering of his wig, and the symbolic elements surrounding him, such as the inscription, all work to construct an image of authority. It's a careful construction of identity meant to convey respectability and power. What does it mean to have your likeness reproduced and circulated? This image invites us to think about the relationship between identity, representation, and power. It encourages us to examine the historical conditions that have shaped the ways in which people are seen and how they see themselves.