Portret van Johann Friedrich von Cronegk 1760

This print, titled "Portret van Johann Friedrich von Cronegk," was created by Johann Martin Bernigeroth, likely sometime in the mid-18th century. As an engraving, it began as a sheet of copper, carefully incised with lines to hold ink. The depth and density of these lines determine the tonal range of the image. Look closely, and you'll notice the remarkable amount of work it took to create this portrait. Bernigeroth would have labored meticulously, using specialized tools to achieve such fine detail. Consider the time and skill required, not just to draw the image, but to transfer it to a durable printing plate. The act of engraving itself carries a certain social significance. It was a skilled trade, positioning Bernigeroth within a network of craftspeople, publishers, and patrons. The print also speaks to ideas of portraiture and status. By immortalizing Johann Friedrich von Cronegk in this manner, Bernigeroth participates in the construction of identity, reinforcing hierarchies of class and achievement through skilled making.