Portret van Dorothea Helena Nicolai 1719 - 1733

Johann Martin Bernigeroth created this engraving of Dorothea Helena Nicolai. It captures her holding a portrait of her late husband. The image within the image acts as a powerful symbol, harking back to ancient Roman funerary portraits, where likenesses ensured the deceased’s continued presence in memory. Consider how such portraits evolved from painted panels to sculpted busts, each iteration a testament to the human desire to defy oblivion. Notice the architectural elements behind her: columns and drapery that suggest permanence and status. The inclusion of the husband's portrait speaks to enduring love, or perhaps the social and economic stability his memory provides. The act of holding an image of a loved one transcends time; from ancient mourning rituals to modern-day photographs carried close to the heart, the impulse remains unchanged. The portrait is a ‘memento mori,’ a meditation on mortality, yet also a celebration of a life that continues to resonate. This visual language taps into a deep, almost primal part of our collective psyche.