Portret van Gotfried Lange 1719

This is an engraving of Gotfried Lange, made by Martin Bernigeroth, a German artist who died in 1733. It offers a potent glimpse into the visual culture of the European elite. Note the dense profusion of the wig, the delicate lace cuffs, and the authoritative gesture. These visual cues served to communicate status and power in a society rigidly stratified by class. Lange's official titles are prominently displayed beneath his image. The work's original function would have been as a means of circulating Lange’s image within a specific social sphere. Engravings such as this one played a crucial role in constructing and reinforcing social hierarchies in the 18th century. By studying such images alongside other historical sources – diaries, letters, financial records – we can begin to understand how power operated through visual representation, and how individuals like Lange sought to present themselves within a complex social and political landscape. The meaning of art is contingent on its social and institutional context.