Portret van Michael Grass 1743

This is Johann Martin Bernigeroth’s portrait of Michael Grass, an engraving of meticulous detail. Note the oval frame that enshrines Grass, a motif echoing ancient Roman portraiture, designed to lend an air of timelessness and authority. Grass holds what appears to be a book, likely signifying his scholarship and learning. The book acts as a symbol of knowledge. From the scrolls of antiquity to the codices of the Middle Ages, the act of holding a book has long been associated with wisdom and intellectual prowess. It is a tradition that continues today. Consider how this simple gesture has traversed centuries, evolving yet retaining its core essence. The emotional weight of such symbols pulls at our collective memories, engaging viewers in a non-linear, cyclical progression of meaning. It resurfaces, evolves, and takes on new contexts in different historical settings, and engages viewers on a deep subconscious level.