Portret van Franz Ludwig von Pfalz-Neuburg 1718

Martin Bernigeroth created this print of Franz Ludwig von Pfalz-Neuburg, now held at the Rijksmuseum, during a period of significant political and social change in Europe. Bernigeroth, working in the late 17th and early 18th centuries, lived in a society marked by rigid class structures and the consolidation of aristocratic power. This portrait captures not just the likeness of Franz Ludwig but also the performance of his identity as a nobleman. Decked out in armor, he is a figure of military and political authority. Consider how the symbols of power are visually constructed here – the elaborate wig, the stern gaze. These are not merely aesthetic choices; they reflect the aristocratic identity which was deeply intertwined with notions of masculinity, honor, and lineage. Bernigeroth’s work is a window into the visual strategies employed to uphold the social hierarchy. While seemingly a straightforward depiction, this print reveals the complexities inherent in the construction and maintenance of identity through art.