Portret van Caspar Schamberg 1706 - 1733

Martin Bernigeroth made this print of Caspar Schamberg, a merchant and councilor from Leipzig, sometime around 1706. The print embodies the values of civic humanism, a cultural movement which held that active participation in public life was essential for the well-being of society. The visual language reinforces the importance of status and social position. Schamberg is depicted within an oval frame, a classical motif that suggests nobility. Below the portrait, an inscription details his name, occupation, and place of residence, reinforcing his identity as a prominent member of the Leipzig community. The inclusion of Schamberg’s coat of arms further emphasizes his family's status and lineage. To fully understand this artwork, we need to explore archives and genealogical records, as well as the institutional history of Leipzig's civic administration. Artworks such as this were powerful tools of self-promotion, but also offer today's historians insights into the structures of early modern European society.