If the numerous portrait commissions that Conrad Meyer created in the course of his prolific artistic career – over 200 are known today – are often characterized by a certain routine, not to say downright stiffness, he reveals a different character in the drawings of his family. Here he shows himself to be a sensitive, even tender observer.

In this red chalk drawing, he portrayed his young son Johannes. He inscribed the sheet: "J. M. / den 7. d Winter m / 1662 / AEt 7. year". J. M. stands for the child's name, followed by the exact date, the 7th of the winter month, i.e. January 7, 1662, which corresponds to Johannes' name day. AEt stands for Aetas, Greek for age. Johannes was therefore seven years old at the time.

Johannes later also became a painter and engraver. In addition to several portraits, he mainly created prints with military and biblical scenes, vedute, New Year's leaflets and depictions of the months and seasons. One of his most important works is a map of the canton of Zurich engraved after Hans Conrad Gyger.