Portret van Carl Philipp von Wrede

About this artwork

plaatrand: hoogte 212 mm x breedte 168 mm

Art Historical Context

**Portret van Carl Philipp vonrede** is a delicate stipple engraving by Friedrich Wilhelm Meyer (I created during his active years spanning 1787 to 1880. a modest 212 mm high by 168 mm wide, this intimate portrait captures the likeness of Carl Philipp von W, a prominent Bavarian field marshal renowned for his role in the Napoleonic Wars. As a printmaker, Meyer employed stipple engraving—a technique using fine dots to build subtle tones and textures—ideal for reproducing detailed portraits with a soft, painterly quality that mimicked expensive oil paintings. Stipple engraving flourished in the late 18th and 19th centuries as an accessible medium for disseminating images of notable figures to a wider audience, from nobility to emerging middle classes. This method allowed for precise shading and lifelike expressions, making Wrede's stern yet dignified features stand out vividly against the plate's edge. The artwork reflects the era's fascination with military heroes, preserving von Wrede's legacy as a strategist who helped Bavaria align with the Allies against Napoleon. Today, this engraving offers a window into Enlightenment-era print culture, where portraiture democratized fame. Its compact size suggests it was designed for collectors' albums or personal display, blending technical innovation with historical reverence.