Portret van Johann Zacharias Platner 1749

Johann Martin Bernigeroth created this print of Johann Zacharias Platner in the 18th century, a time when the Enlightenment ideals of reason and individualism were transforming European society. The portrait presents Platner, a prominent physician and professor, within an ornate, theatrical frame. His gaze is direct, confident, embodying the era’s emphasis on individual achievement and intellectual prowess. Platner's identity is carefully constructed through symbols of status: his wig, his clothing, and the books visible behind him. Yet, it's essential to consider how such images reinforced social hierarchies, presenting an exclusive view of success limited to a privileged class. Portraits like these helped shape the perception of who held power and knowledge during the Enlightenment. By situating Platner in this way, Bernigeroth’s work prompts us to reflect on the narratives and identities that were both celebrated and excluded in this pivotal period of history.