Portret van Christian Gottlieb Hohmann, Freiherr von Hohenthal 1765

Johann Martin Bernigeroth created this portrait of Christian Gottlieb Hohmann, Freiherr von Hohenthal, using engraving techniques. At first glance, the composition is dominated by a central figure framed by architectural and drapery elements, creating a stage-like setting. The contrast between the detailed rendering of the subject and the softer background elements directs the viewer's focus. Bernigeroth employs hatching and cross-hatching to achieve tonal variations, lending depth and texture to the monochrome palette. In the context of 18th-century portraiture, this work reflects the Enlightenment's emphasis on reason and order, but also on the status of the sitter. The inclusion of symbolic objects and inscriptions further encodes layers of meaning about the sitter’s identity. The formal elements work together to communicate specific social and intellectual values. The composition subtly negotiates the boundaries between public image and private identity.