Portret van Hermann Friedrich Teichmeyer 1726

Johann Martin Bernigeroth created this portrait of Hermann Friedrich Teichmeyer using engraving, a medium that lends itself to the reproduction and dissemination of images. Made in the 18th century, this print reflects the social hierarchy of the time. Teichmeyer, identified as a Doctor of Philosophy and Medicine, is depicted with symbols of status: elaborate wig, formal attire, and scholarly accoutrements. The inscription emphasizes his titles and affiliations with academic societies, underscoring the importance of institutional recognition in the period. This was the era of The Enlightenment, a time when institutions of science and learning became primary in the shaping of social norms. Such portraits served to immortalize and promote the sitter within a specific social and intellectual milieu, reinforcing the values of education and social standing. Art historians consult period documents, such as university records, to understand the status of those depicted, giving us clues as to the social structures of the time.