Allegorical Portrait of Baron Friedrich Rudolph Ludwig von Canitz c. 1745

Simon Fokke's "Allegorical Portrait of Baron Friedrich Rudolph Ludwig von Canitz" from c. 1745 depicts the Baron in an allegorical setting. The central figure of the Baron is framed by a banner held by an angel, highlighting his nobility and importance. Two figures, possibly representing virtue and fame, stand at either side, holding a mirror and a lyre, suggesting the Baron's achievements and the influence of his work. The artwork, currently held at the Städel Museum, is a fascinating example of how portraiture was elevated to a symbolic form in the 18th century.