Portret van Magdalena Sibylla Schacher 1687 - 1743

This is Johann Georg Mentzel’s “Portret van Magdalena Sibylla Schacher”, made with etching. The composition is structured around the central portrait bust of Magdalena, flanked by allegorical figures and heraldic symbols, creating a symmetrical, balanced tableau. The artist uses line and form to convey status and virtue. The intricate detailing in the drapery, the rendering of the figures' garments, and the heraldic crests indicate the sitter's noble standing. The allegorical figures positioned on either side of the portrait, along with the heraldic symbols, invite us to consider the values and attributes associated with Magdalena. The precise execution and formality suggest an interest in conveying the sitter's enduring legacy. The work invites analysis into how it functions as both a representation of an individual and as a constructed symbol of social and moral authority.