Portret van Christen Skeel 1723 - 1767

This is Johann Martin Bernigeroth's portrait of Christen Scheel, an engraving. Without a date, it’s hard to know exactly when this was made, but Bernigeroth was active during a time of shifting societal structures and evolving artistic representation. Consider the role of portraiture in solidifying status and identity. Scheel, likely a man of considerable stature given the commission of his portrait, is presented through a lens of power and prestige, a common theme in the art of this period. The detailed rendering of his features, the ornate frame, and the carefully inscribed text below all contribute to a narrative of importance. But how might we read this image through a contemporary lens, one that acknowledges the complexities of representation and the power dynamics inherent in portraiture? What does it mean to immortalize an individual in this way, and what stories might remain untold or unseen? As you consider this image, think about who is included, who is excluded, and whose stories are privileged in our visual narratives.