Portret van Christian Seybold 1752 - 1803

This engraving portrays Christian Seybold, immortalized by Christian Gottlieb Geyser with needle and burin on copper. The circular frame is of particular interest. The circle, an ancient symbol, often signifies the eternal and the infinite. It's a motif we see echoed through centuries, from ancient cosmological diagrams to Renaissance depictions of divine unity. Consider how the Renaissance masters used circular compositions, or "tondi," to frame scenes of the Holy Family, suggesting divine completeness and harmony. Now, observe how this symbol is transposed here, framing an earthly artist. This shift reflects a broader cultural movement, where the individual genius begins to take on a near-mythical status. It's a telling sign of the times, of the artist's growing self-awareness and societal recognition, a narrative captured within this simple, yet profound, circular embrace.