Portret van Johann Samuel Friedrich Boehmer 1770

Johann David Schleuen created this print of Johann Samuel Friedrich Boehmer around 1770. This portrait gives us insight into the subject's status within the social and intellectual circles of his time. The image employs visual codes common in 18th-century portraiture, the formal attire and wig are signifiers of the sitter's social standing. Boehmer's titles suggest he was a man of considerable influence. Understanding the Holy Roman Empire, of which Prussia was a part, and its academic institutions, like the Academy Viadrina where Boehmer was director, is crucial to interpreting this image. The coat-of-arms further underscores his status within the hierarchy of the time. Art historians consult archives, institutional records, and period publications to fully understand the social and political contexts. Only then can we appreciate the portrait’s meaning as a representation of status, intellect, and institutional power.