Portret van Johann Georg Graf von Königsfeld 1738 - 1767

This is Johann Martin Bernigeroth’s "Portret van Johann Georg Graf von Königsfeld," an engraving at the Rijksmuseum. The work is dominated by the symmetrical and precise lines of the engraving, capturing the Count within an oval frame. Notice how Bernigeroth employs a structural method of contrasting textures and tones. The detailed lines and patterns on the Count's coat and wig are juxtaposed against the smooth, flat background. This contrast serves not only to highlight the Count's status but also to emphasize the formal qualities of the medium itself. The composition follows a classical structure, yet the meticulous detail disrupts any sense of idealization. The very texture of the engraving, with its grid-like pattern, destabilizes the notion of portraiture as a straightforward representation. It invites us to consider how such formal choices can disrupt established meanings and offer a critical perspective on representation itself.