Portret van Ulrich von Hutten 1805 - 1844

Editor: This is "Portret van Ulrich von Hutten," created sometime between 1805 and 1844 by Hermann Hirsch Pinhas. It's an engraving, housed here at the Rijksmuseum. The sitter’s stern expression strikes me, giving him an air of authority. What do you make of this piece? Curator: Ulrich certainly looks intense, doesn’t he? Pinhas really captured something of Hutten's fire. Hutten was a complex character, a knight, a humanist, and a fierce advocate for German nationalism during the Reformation. Do you see how the artist uses the crisp lines of the engraving to give him a noble but austere quality? Editor: Yes, now that you mention the lines, they do create that crisp, clean feel that fits with the Neoclassical movement, right? I also notice the circular frame and the stark lighting. Is there any symbolism you detect? Curator: Symbolism abounds in portraiture! Think about why Pinhas chose to depict him in this way, so long after Hutten's death. The artist aimed to evoke Hutten's spirit and ideals. Do you find this artwork celebrates those ideals? Editor: That’s a good point, I suppose a more straightforward depiction of him as a rebellious figure wouldn't mesh as well with the Neoclassical style's emphasis on order. It definitely invites a deeper look into the legacy of Ulrich von Hutten. Thanks! Curator: Indeed, seeing it is a window into not just Hutten himself, but also how later generations chose to remember him. I’m so glad we looked together.