Portret van Ferdinand August Hommel 1743

Johann Martin Bernigeroth created this portrait of Ferdinand August Hommel, using engraving. Notice how the composition is structured through contrasting shapes: the sharp rectangle of the base against the soft oval framing Hommel. The engraver uses meticulously fine lines to define form and texture. Look closely at how these lines create subtle gradations of light and shadow, giving depth to Hommel's face and wig. Engraving, as a medium, carries its own set of codes. The precision and control required reflect Enlightenment values of reason and order. Bernigeroth uses this medium to portray Hommel's status and intellect. The inscription further reinforces this, identifying Hommel’s institutional affiliations and titles. Ultimately, this print uses a structured visual language to communicate specific ideas about identity and social standing in the 18th century. The interplay of line, shape, and inscription offers a glimpse into the values of its time.