Portret van Johann Ernst Gründler 1709 - 1720

Martin Bernigeroth created this print of Johann Ernst Gründler. Although the exact date remains unknown, we can place it within the social and religious context of the late 17th to early 18th century. Gründler's identity as a missionary in Tranquebar, India, is central to understanding this work. Bernigeroth's portrait immortalizes Gründler, a figure of European Christian expansion, emphasizing his role in a complex colonial narrative. His attire and pose reflect the traditional representation of religious authority, yet his location complicates this image. The emotional weight of the piece lies in the tension between the subject's European identity and his mission in a foreign land. This work invites us to consider the legacy of cultural and religious encounters, and the power dynamics inherent in representation.