Portret van Johann David Thönnicker 1702

Martin Bernigeroth’s engraving, 'Portret van Johann David Thönnicker,' captures a sense of the 17th-century societal structure through its depiction of a prominent figure. The subject, Johann David Thönnicker, is identified as a philosopher, doctor, and consul of Chemnitz, signaling his high social standing in Saxony. Bernigeroth’s engraving reflects the cultural emphasis on status and intellectual achievement during this era. Thönnicker’s elaborate wig and formal attire underscore the importance of appearance as a marker of identity and authority. The inclusion of his coat of arms further reinforces the significance of lineage and social rank. What does it mean to have your portrait engraved? What did it mean to have access and wealth, status and privilege? How did those things get passed down, earned, or lost? These are questions that come to mind when considering this piece. The work invites us to reflect on the ways in which power and privilege were visually constructed and circulated through portraiture, and what kind of emotional life might be underneath all that finery.