Portrait of Assessor Ostemeyer 

Carl Hoff made this drawing of Assessor Ostemeyer, a civic official, sometime in the first half of the 19th century. This work highlights the relationship between art and social status. The portrait suggests the sitter's position in society. The title itself uses his honorific, 'Assessor', while the close-up view and careful rendering implies respect and consideration. Made in Germany, perhaps Frankfurt where the Städel Museum is based, the drawing reflects the values of a society still structured around hierarchy. Hoff’s role as an artist was tied to the social and political institutions of the time. Patronage from civic officials was very important. Understanding the context in which art is made—the economic systems, the social expectations, and the politics of representation— helps us appreciate its complexities. Examining archives, letters, and other historical documents can give insights into the ways in which artists like Hoff negotiated the social structures of their time.