Young Man with Hat under Arm 1784

This 1784 engraving by Daniel Nikolaus Chodowiecki, a prominent German artist of the Enlightenment, depicts a young man standing with his hat under his arm. The simple composition, with a figure silhouetted against a landscape background, reflects the Neoclassical style that valued clarity and restraint. The subject's elegant attire and refined pose suggest a gentleman of the era, while the subtle details in the background, including a low wall and trees, hint at a leisurely outdoor setting. Chodowiecki's mastery of detail and his ability to capture the essence of his subject make this work a quintessential example of 18th-century portraiture.