Portret van Michael Förtsch 1695 - 1733

Martin Bernigeroth created this portrait of Michael Förtsch using etching. The piece reflects the rigid social hierarchies of the 17th and 18th centuries, as seen in Förtsch's formal attire. It's a costume, a performance of power. During this period, individual identity was often closely tied to one's social status and professional role. Förtsch, a Doctor and Professor of Theology, is presented here in a way that emphasizes his scholarly achievements and position within the academic and religious community. Think about how this image might have been used - perhaps to promote Förtsch's reputation or to symbolize the values of the institutions he was affiliated with. In a world where access to representation was limited, portraits like this served as important markers of identity and status, reinforcing existing social norms and power structures. Yet, in its rendering, we might still find a man trying to emerge.