Portret van Wolfgang Hanibal von Schrattenbach 1713

Martin Bernigeroth created this portrait of Wolfgang Hanibal von Schrattenbach using etching techniques. The oval composition and monochromatic tones lend the piece a formal, yet inviting tone. Bernigeroth's masterful use of line and texture invites us to analyze the structural elements within. The subject, framed by an oval, emerges from a background of horizontal lines, which creates a sense of depth, further emphasized by the detailed rendering of his robes and the soft curls of his hair. Below, geometric forms provide a stable base, etched with inscriptions that anchor the portrait in a moment of time and identity. The print functions as both a representation and a construct. It invites viewers to engage with historical context and also to question the nature of representation itself. The portrait transcends simple likeness, becoming a study of form, power, and the enduring impact of visual language.