Portret van Ludwig Schubart c. 1780 - 1820

This is Christoph-Wilhelm Bock's portrait of Ludwig Schubart. The piece offers us a glimpse into the visual culture of the late 18th century, a time when Enlightenment ideals were circulating among Europe’s educated elite. As we look at Schubart, framed in profile, we are invited to consider the dynamics of representation and identity. The portrait, with its emphasis on clean lines and classical composition, speaks to a desire for order and reason that characterized the era. Yet, at the same time, we cannot ignore the social stratification inherent in such images. Schubart's dress and bearing signal his status and class. In its commitment to the representation of a man of status, this portrait also invites us to reflect on the lives and experiences of those who were not deemed worthy of such representation.