Portret van Tobias Sutorius, Edler von Carlstein 1731 - 1733

Martin Bernigeroth created this print of Tobias Sutorius, Edler von Carlstein. It’s a visual statement of power and status, typical of 18th-century portraiture. Sutorius, draped in finery, embodies the social and political hierarchies of his time. His elaborate wig and attire aren't just fashion statements; they are symbols of wealth and authority, meticulously crafted to project an image of dominance. Consider how gender and class are performed here. Sutorius is a man in a position of power, but his presentation is steeped in artifice. The lace, the wig, the carefully posed hand, all speak to a culture that prized image and appearance. How might this portrait be seen as an assertion of identity in a world defined by rigid social roles? It presents a narrative of success and importance. These images helped to solidify the status quo, but they also offer a glimpse into the personal aspirations and anxieties of those who commissioned them.