Portret van Heinrich Theodor Rötscher 1834 - 1911

Ludwig Pietsch made this portrait of Heinrich Theodor Rötscher using graphite. Pietsch, born in Berlin, occupies an interesting position, as both an artist and an art critic, at a time when these roles were becoming more professionalized and distinct. This portrait depicts Rötscher, a German literary critic and academic. In this image, Rötscher embodies the values of the educated middle class. He is dressed in a dark suit and tie. He is respectable, and self-assured. Rötscher is sitting in a plain chair, his hands neatly folded. This is a man of intellect and good taste. By the 19th century, the public role of art and culture was undergoing significant change. Museums were becoming more common, as were public art exhibitions. So portraits like this would have helped to shape public opinion about the important figures of the day. As an art historian, I'm interested in exploring the social and cultural context in which this portrait was made. By examining the print culture of 19th century Germany, we can better understand the role that art played in shaping public opinion and national identity.