Portret van Johanna Dorothea, Gräfin Reuß-Schleiz 1723 - 1767

This print portrays Johanna Dorothea, Countess Reuss-Schleiz, and was created by Martin Bernigeroth, who was active in the late 17th and early 18th centuries. The print is an allegorical depiction of the Countess. She is represented in the style of a funerary monument, complete with allegorical figures of mourning and hope, with a female figure holding a cross and anchor. The Countess is framed in an oval portrait with her coat of arms. The visual codes and cultural references in the print reflect the social and political context of its time. Germany in this period was highly stratified, with a powerful aristocracy. This print is an idealised image, intended to create a lasting memento of the Countess's life and social standing. Aristocratic patronage was an important context for artists at this time. By researching the social and institutional histories of the period, we can gain a better understanding of the artwork's meaning and significance.