Portret van Michael Heinrich Griebner 1734 - 1767

This is Johann Martin Bernigeroth's engraving of Michael Heinrich Griebner. It captures the texture of fabric and paper, and conveys an immediacy despite the subject's death before its making. Bernigeroth uses line and contrast to construct the portrait’s formal qualities: the subject's face, wig, and clothing stand in high relief against the dark background. This chiaroscuro effect models the shapes, creating depth and volume. The parallel lines suggest the form’s physical presence, not just its likeness. The portrait, with its columns, draped fabric, and book-lined shelves, suggests not just a person but an ideal. Bernigeroth's use of perspective, light, and texture, transforms Griebner into a representation of enlightenment, knowledge and virtue. This engraving thus operates on multiple levels, mirroring and shaping cultural values.