Portret van Johann Ulrich Wallich - Konrad Westermayr

A formal portrait engraving of Johann Ulrich Wallich by the German artist Konrad Westermayr, presented in a classic oval frame.

This engraving by Konrad Westermayr depicts Johann Ulrich Wallich, a figure whose life spanned the mid-seventeenth century. The portrait is presented within a classic oval frame, a common convention for seventeenth and eighteenth-century commemorative prints. The subject is shown in a bust-length view, wearing the attire typical of the period: a dark doublet with a light-coloured collar. His hair is styled in long, flowing locks, which frame his face and contribute to the formal, dignified presentation of the sitter.

Westermayr employs precise line work to define the features of the subject. The stippling and hatching techniques used within the oval create a sense of volume and shadow, giving the face a realistic appearance. Below the portrait, the inscription provides biographical details, noting Wallich's birth in Weimar in 1626 and his death in Stade in 1673. This inclusion of text is characteristic of historical portrait prints, which often functioned as visual records for biographical or genealogical purposes.

The print is set against a plain background, which directs the viewer's attention entirely to the subject. The paper shows signs of age, including light foxing and discolouration, which are consistent with the historical nature of the original engraving. As a piece of historical documentation, this work offers a glimpse into the portraiture styles of the German Baroque era. It captures the likeness of an individual through the disciplined medium of copperplate engraving, demonstrating the technical skill required to render texture and form through lines alone. This print is a clear example of the portrait tradition that served to preserve the memory of figures in the early modern period.