From 1741 onwards, the journal “Bilder-sal” was published as a ten-volume series each with ten portraits for which one could register as buyer in advance. Back then, Augsburg was a centre for manufacture and distribution of graphic portraits. Pivotal for the “Bilder-sal” was the perception, widely spread by the 18th century, that the view of portraits of great minds would contribute to edification and encourage imitation.
