Portret van Per Johan Wimermark 1796

Jan Brandes created this graphite drawing, "Portret van Per Johan Wimermark," sometime between 1743 and 1808. Brandes, born in Hamburg, spent much of his life traveling through Europe and Asia, working as a draughtsman, and documenting his surroundings. Here, in delicate lines, he depicts Per Johan Wimermark in profile. Wimermark's powdered wig and aristocratic features suggest a man of status in 18th-century society. This portrait offers a glimpse into the visual culture of the time, where representing identity through carefully constructed images was a common practice among the elite. The drawing is not just a physical likeness; it's a display of social standing and cultural values. Portraits like these often reinforced existing power structures, dictating who was deemed worthy of representation and remembrance. It invites us to reflect on the politics embedded within portraiture and how these images shape our understanding of history.