Portret van Bernhard Nathanael Gottlob Schreger 1765 - 1836

Christoph-Wilhelm Bock created this portrait of Bernhard Nathanael Gottlob Schreger in an unknown year, now held in the Rijksmuseum. Encapsulated within an oval frame, the profile portrait is striking, it harkens back to ancient Roman portraiture. Consider the profile view, a dominant motif throughout history, as a testament to the enduring quest for identity and representation. It brings to mind Roman coins featuring emperors. The profile—dignified, resolute—served to immortalize their power. Yet, the profile also appears in Renaissance portraiture, and even in modern-day silhouettes. The act of turning away, seen here, can symbolize introspection, even when used in a portrait meant for public consumption. The turn of the head suggests a mind engaged in thought, a deliberate choice echoing through epochs. It reflects a complex interplay between public persona and private contemplation. This reminds us that images are not static, but fluid carriers of memory.