Portret van Anton Graff 1746 - 1816

This is Johann Anton Riedel’s portrait of Anton Graff, etched into existence. Notice the oval frame, a common motif since antiquity, symbolizing the cyclical nature of life and time, like the Ouroboros serpent. Here it encases Graff, immortalizing him within its endless loop. This framing device also appears in ancient Roman portraiture, where emperors were often depicted within circular shields, embodying their eternal legacy. The way the neckerchief loosely drapes suggests the sitter is a man of intellect or someone engaged in the arts. Note the slightly disheveled hair, which hints at genius, as opposed to a rigid, controlled order, which symbolizes an enlightened approach to knowledge and self-expression. This symbol returns throughout history, shifting with the times, yet retaining its core of cultural memory and the subconscious desire for recognition.