A Physionotrace Portraitist

Christoph-Wilhelm Bock

Created:
Movement:
1802
Neoclassicism
key Notes:
Silhouette Portraiture, Early 19th Century Technique
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Dimensions:
Image: 15.5 × 9 cm (6 1/8 × 3 9/16 in.); Sheet: 21.3 × 13.6 cm (8 7/16 × 5 3/8 in.)
medium:
Engraving on buff wove paper, matted together with photograph of ticket for physionotrace sitting
Difficulty:
Master
New game
story of the work:

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A Physionotrace Portraitist by Christoph Wilhelm Bock

The artwork titled A Physionotrace Portraitist by Christoph Wilhelm Bock, created in 1802, is an engraving on buff wove paper. This piece is notable for its depiction of the physionotrace, an innovative device used in the late 18th and early 19th centuries to create silhouette portraits with precision. The inclusion of a photograph of a ticket for a physionotrace sitting alongside the engraving provides valuable historical context, illustrating the commercial and social aspects of portraiture during this period.

Christoph Wilhelm Bock, an artist active in the early 19th century, contributed to the documentation of technological advancements in art through his work. The physionotrace itself represents a significant development in the democratization of portraiture, making it accessible to a broader audience. Bock's engraving not only captures the technical aspects of the device but also reflects the cultural fascination with physiognomy and identity during his time.

Description of the work:

A Physionotrace Portraitist by Christoph Wilhelm Bock

Created in 1802, "A Physionotrace Portraitist" by Christoph Wilhelm Bock is an engraving on buff wove paper that captures the intricate process of physionotrace, a technique used for creating silhouette portraits. The artwork is matted together with a photograph of a ticket for a physionotrace sitting, highlighting the historical context and popularity of this portrait style during the early 19th century.

Artwork Photograph Source:
Art Institute of Chicago

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A Physionotrace Portraitist