Portret van Christian Samuel Ulber op 43-jarige leeftijd 1758

This is a portrait of Christian Samuel Ulber at the age of 43, made by Christian Fritzsch. The image strikes a balance between formality and intimacy through its careful arrangement of shapes, lines, and textures. Ulber is centrally positioned, drawing our eye immediately to his face framed by a large, pleated collar. This collar, rendered with fine, radial lines, contrasts sharply with the darker, solid masses of his robes and hair. This contrast creates a visual tension that animates the composition. Note how the background is divided into distinct zones: a draped curtain on the left softens the image, while a rigid bookcase on the right adds depth and a sense of scholarly environment. Ulber's hand rests on a book. This detail reinforces a semiotic system connecting the sitter with knowledge, faith, and tradition. The picture destabilizes conventional meanings and values. While it honours Ulber as an individual, it also engages with broader artistic and philosophical concerns about representation, perception, and the construction of identity through visual signs.