Portret van Augustin Friedrich Walther 1725

Martin Bernigeroth created this print of Augustin Friedrich Walther, whose work as an anatomist and surgeon placed him at the intersection of scientific advancement and the hierarchical social structures of his time. Walther's elaborate wig and formal attire are visual declarations of status and intellect, reflecting the importance of appearance in solidifying one's position in 18th-century academic circles. Yet, this projection of power is complicated when viewed through the lens of medical ethics and social disparities of the era, with wealth and position granting access to knowledge and care that was denied to many. Bernigeroth’s rendering invites us to reflect on the power dynamics inherent in knowledge production, then and now, and the ways in which individual identity is both shaped by and reinforces broader societal structures.