Portret van Jean-Pierre de Crousaz 1742

This engraving depicts Jean-Pierre de Crousaz, and was made by Johann Martin Bernigeroth in the 18th century. Consider what it meant to produce and circulate images of public figures at this time. This portrait participates in a larger economy of representation. Note the way Bernigeroth presents de Crousaz: framed in an oval, his features are composed and serene, his clothing formal. These visual cues create an impression of authority and intellect, fitting for someone described in the inscription as a counselor to the Swedish King. Engravings like this one played a key role in shaping public perception and solidifying social hierarchies. By studying these images, along with archival documents, we can begin to understand the complex interplay between power, representation, and the making of celebrity in 18th-century Europe.