Portret van Michael Grass 1724

Martin Bernigeroth created this portrait of Michael Grass using etching, a process that democratized image production in the early 18th century. Portraits like these were often commissioned by the sitter to promote a particular image of themselves, and thus became a means of reinforcing social hierarchy. Grass, a doctor of law and professor, is depicted with the markers of status in this period: the flowing wig, cravat, and draped coat. Yet, Bernigeroth’s rendering of Grass resists a singular narrative of power. There’s an undeniable vulnerability in the directness of his gaze. His humanity complicates any reading of this image as purely celebratory of class status. It invites a dialogue between the individual and the structures they inhabit. The result is not just a portrait of a man, but a mirror reflecting the tensions of identity and societal role.