Portret van Johann Bartholomäus Trommsdorff 1802

This is Friedrich Rossmässler's portrait of Johann Bartholomäus Trommsdorff, made with etching. Encapsulated within an oval frame, Trommsdorff is meticulously rendered. Rossmässler’s etching technique gives a tangible presence to the subject; the detailed cross-hatching and fine lines create a play of light and shadow that models Trommsdorff's features. The composition, with its focus on the upper body, invites an intimate engagement. What's particularly striking is the way Rossmässler uses the etching to convey texture. From the soft, powdered wig to the crisp lines of the collar and the plush fabric of the jacket, each element is carefully differentiated through subtle variations in line density and direction. The oval format, a classical choice, frames Trommsdorff in a manner that feels both formal and personal. It invites us to consider not just the man, but also the symbolic weight of representation itself.