Portret van Adolph Magnus von Hoym 1713

Martin Bernigeroth created this portrait of Adolph Magnus von Hoym using engraving techniques. Notice the elaborate wig and armor, symbols of status and power during the baroque era. Wigs, initially a symbol of health, became emblems of aristocracy, signifying detachment from manual labor and adherence to courtly fashion. The armor, while perhaps ceremonial in Hoym's time, echoes centuries of military might and protection. Consider the recurring motif of the 'heroic portrait,' which began with classical busts of Roman emperors. This style resurfaces throughout history in various forms, from Renaissance paintings to contemporary photography, each time adapting to convey authority and prestige. The underlying psychological need to immortalize and venerate leaders persists, reflecting our collective memory and the human desire for order and control. It is a cycle.