Portret van Friedrich von Hotze 1799 - 1817

Johann Heinrich Lips created this print of Friedrich von Hotze using etching and engraving. Hotze was a Swiss born officer who served in the Austrian army during the French Revolutionary Wars. He was seen as a hero, a martyr even, by the Austrian aristocracy of the late 18th-century. Lips's portrait of Hotze, rendered in stark monochrome, idealizes him by depicting a man of honor and military prowess. His gaze is direct and unwavering, conveying resolve, while his attire and medals signal his status. Prints like this played a crucial role in shaping public perceptions of military figures and national identity at the time. Yet, they also raise questions about who is celebrated in history, and whose stories remain untold. The glorification of military leaders often overshadows the experiences of common soldiers and civilians affected by war. Consider how Lips’s portrait might invite us to consider what stories are left out of conventional, heroic narratives.