Portret van Johann Tobias Mayer

About this artwork

plaatrand: hoogte 142 mm x breedte 86 mm

Art Historical Context

Welcome to *Portret van Johann Tobias*, a refined portrait by the artist A. Burck, crafted between 1799 and 1850. Measuring a modest 142 mm in height by 86 mm in width paper, this intimate work exemplifies the era's fascination with precise, personal likenesses. The notation of "plaatrand" ( edge) suggests it is a print, likely derived from an engraved or etched plate, a technique popular in the late Enlightenment and early Romantic periods for reproducing portraits affordably in books, journals, or private collections. Johann Tobias Mayer, the subject, was a figure worthy of commemoration, and this artwork preserves his image in a compact format ideal for scholarly or familial display. Burckhardt's choice of paper as a medium highlights the accessibility of printmaking, allowing wider dissemination of notable portraits during a time when scientific and intellectual heroes were increasingly celebrated visually. Though small in scale, the piece carries cultural weight as a testament to 19th-century portrait traditions, blending technical finesse with historical reverence. Visitors will appreciate its delicate craftsmanship, inviting closer inspection to uncover the era's blend of artistry and documentation.