Portret van Gottlob August von Reibold 1680 - 1733

Martin Bernigeroth created this portrait of Gottlob August von Reibold, likely as an engraving, which accounts for its intricate line work and monochromatic palette. The oval frame sets up a dialogue between rigid geometry and the organic forms of the subject. The composition emphasizes contrasts, the subject's elaborate wig against the smooth frame, and the heavy drapery against the precise lettering below. Gottlob's armour and the symbols of nobility suggest power and status but it is the wig that dominates, a kind of semiotic excess. What does this symbol signify about the cultural codes of the period? How does the portrait operate as a sign, conveying messages about identity and authority? Ultimately, the print invites us to reflect on how portraits function as constructed images, designed to communicate specific messages about the sitter's place in society, and how these visual elements might uphold or subvert the established order.