Portret van Johann Daniel Gohl

About this artwork

verzamelaarsmerk, verso, gestempeld: Lugt 2228

Art Historical Context

**Portret van Johann Daniel Gohl** a fine example of 18th-century portraiture crafted by Georg Paul Busch, skilled German engraver active during the early Enlightenment era (ca. 1704–1756). This intimate engraving depicts Johann Daniel Gohl, a notable German physician, antiquarian, and numismist whose scholarly pursuits reflected the period's growing fascination with history, science, and collecting. Measuring just 166 mm high by 102 mm wide, the work captures Gohl's likeness with precise detail, serving as both a personal commemoration and a means to disseminate his image among intellectual circles. Engraving, the medium here, was a hallmark of Baroque and Rococo printmaking, allowing for intricate lines and tonal depth through incised metal plates inked and pressed onto paper. Busch's technique highlights the portrait's role in preserving the visages of Europe's learned elite, making knowledge accessible beyond elite patrons. Such prints were prized for their reproducibility, bridging art and scholarship in an age when portraits immortalized thinkers. A intriguing detail adorns the verso: a collector's mark stamped Lugt 2228, referencing Frits Lugt's renowned catalog of provenance symbols. This stamp underscores the artwork's journey through esteemed collections, adding layers of historical authenticity for modern viewers.