Portret van Anna Sophia Wichmannshausen 1714 - 1733

Martin Bernigeroth created this print, “Portret van Anna Sophia Wichmannshausen,” sometime between 1670 and 1733, using etching and engraving. This portrait is more than just a depiction of Anna Sophia; it's a carefully constructed representation of identity and status within 18th-century European society. Bernigeroth positions Anna Sophia within an oval frame, reminiscent of ancient Roman portraiture, to ennoble her. Note the allegorical figure who leans pensively, her gaze directed upward, as a cherubic figure presents her with a book. In this era of enlightenment, the book symbolizes wisdom and learning, virtues closely associated with women of the upper class. These surrounding figures imply that Anna Sophia's identity is cultivated through knowledge, piety, and virtue. Consider how this portrait attempts to immortalize not just the likeness of Anna Sophia, but the virtues and status to which she and her family aspired. It prompts us to reflect on the nuanced ways in which identity is constructed, performed, and immortalized through art.