Artwork

Lisiewska, Friederike Julie (Vorlage): Porträt Johann Friedrich Zöllner

Lisiewska, Friederike Julie (Vorlage): Porträt Johann Friedrich Zöllner is a drawing by Unknown. It dates from 1796 and is held in the collection of the City Museum Berlin. The portrait depicts Johann Friedrich Zöllner (1753‑1804), a Berlin pastor who served at the Church of Mary and later as provost of St.

About this work

Overview

The portrait depicts Johann Friedrich Zöllner (1753‑1804), a Berlin pastor who served at the Church of Mary and later as provost of St. Nicholas. Executed by Friederike Julie Lisiewska, the work was exhibited at the Berlin Academy in 1793 as one of four notable pieces, likely commissioned through her teacher Christian Bernhard Rode.

Subject & Meaning

Zöllner is shown in full pastoral attire, seated within a semicircular architectural setting that emphasizes his clerical authority. His solemn expression and the dignified pose reflect the Enlightenment‑era esteem afforded to leading theologians in Berlin.

Technique & Style

Lisiewska employs meticulous cross‑hatching to render the texture of the ornate robe and the nuanced features of Zöllner’s face. The fine linear work creates a sense of depth and materiality, characteristic of late‑18th‑century academic portraiture.

History & Provenance

After its 1793 debut, the portrait remained in the possession of the Church of the Virgin Mary at least until 1929. An engraving derived from the painting was later catalogued in the Märkisches Museum collection, bearing the inscription “Jul. de Lichewsky pinx.” and a later annotation by J. S. Ringck.

Context

The portrait belongs to a period when Berlin’s intellectual circles celebrated religious leaders as cultural figures. Its presentation at the Academy underscores the intersection of art and the city’s Enlightenment discourse, while Lisiewska’s involvement highlights the role of women artists within the academic system.