Philipp Zeltner - Portrait of Emil Wirth

The portrait of Emil Wirth, created by Philipp Zeltner, is an example of the complexity of depicting a personality who played a significant role in both civic life and the artistic sphere. The choice to depict Wirth in a "self-staging pose" against a golden background is particularly significant because it shows the actor not only as someone who performs on stage, but also as a person who stages himself - be it in his art or in his life. 

The casual posture, the mischievous smile and the cigarette in the corner of his mouth lend the picture a certain lightness and a touch of nonchalance, giving the impression that Wirth takes life with a wink rather than with too much seriousness. At the same time, his clothing - the frock coat and top hat - emphasizes the bourgeois side of his personality, which contrasts with his rather unconventional attitude. The portrait thus goes beyond the mere depiction of a person and captures the complex facets of his character.