Portret van Erenbertus Meyer 1729 - 1795

This is Matthias Pock's "Portret van Erenbertus Meyer", an engraving made sometime around the 18th century. It pictures Erenbertus Meyer, who was elected as abbot in 1771. Portraits like this provide us a glimpse into the hierarchical structures of the time. Meyer is depicted with symbols of his religious authority: his garments, the cross he wears, and the book at which he gestures. The portrait is bordered with Meyer’s coat of arms, an assertion of lineage and power. Engravings such as these were often commissioned by the portrayed, or their families. Thus they are not neutral documents, but active participants in the construction of identity. Pock's engraving presents Meyer in a way that reinforced his status and legacy within a society deeply shaped by religious institutions. In viewing this portrait, consider how power is performative, and how even a still image can play a role in maintaining social hierarchies.