Portret van Christoforo Portocarrero, graaf van Montijo 1723 - 1767

Johann Martin Bernigeroth created this print of Christoforo Portocarrero, Count of Montijo, sometime between 1713 and 1767. It encapsulates how portraiture served the aristocracy of its time. The image presents Portocarrero within an oval frame, immediately connoting a noble tradition of portraiture. Note the heraldic symbols beneath, emphasizing lineage and status. Bernigeroth, working in the German lands, employs a style that reflects the Baroque period's penchant for detail and grandeur, seen in the elaborate wig and ornate armor. This wasn't just about likeness; it was about constructing an image of power. Consider the social context: Europe was still largely governed by hereditary elites. Portraits like these reinforced social hierarchies, projecting an image of authority. To truly understand this print, you would research the Portocarrero family, the conventions of Baroque portraiture, and the role of prints in disseminating images of power. Art history teaches us that what we see is always shaped by who is in charge.