Johannes Oberberg 1870

This is C.C. Andersen's rendering of Johannes Oberberg. We don't know when it was made but Andersen lived 1849 - 1906. This engraved portrait speaks to the rigid societal structures of its time. Oberberg is presented to us as a man of authority, his gaze direct, his attire signifying status. Yet, within this formality, we might ask: who gets remembered, and how? The choice to immortalize Oberberg raises questions about the power dynamics inherent in portraiture. Consider the stories that remain untold, the faces unseen. What do we learn when we begin to include those erased from the official record? This portrait invites us to reflect on the selective nature of history, and to seek out the diverse narratives that enrich our understanding of the past.