Portret van Margaretha Barbara Flörcke 1703 - 1733

Martin Bernigeroth created this portrait of Margaretha Barbara Flörcke using engraving techniques. Immediately striking is the interplay between the portrait's oval frame and the rectangular structure supporting it. This contrast creates a dialogue between the organic and the geometric, drawing our attention to the formal structure of representation itself. The frame, adorned with lush foliage, surrounds a composed Flörcke, whose gaze meets ours with gentle confidence. This engagement is a study in balance, as Bernigeroth uses the frame to mediate the sitter's presence. The inscription below, framed by another geometric plane, anchors the portrait in historical context. This careful arrangement of shapes, textures, and textual elements reflects a structured approach to portraiture, aiming not just to capture a likeness, but to construct a narrative of identity and status. It is an invitation to read the image, engaging with the semiotics of representation.