Portret van Johann Carl Koken 1758

This is Johann Martin Bernigeroth's portrait of Johann Carl Koken, made with etching and engraving techniques. The piece offers a glimpse into the social hierarchy and the importance of religious figures in 18th-century Europe. Koken, a pastor, is depicted with the symbols of his status: his formal attire and solemn expression speak to his authority within the church and the community. Bernigeroth was working within a society deeply structured by class and religious doctrine. The very act of commissioning and creating a portrait was a statement of Koken’s position and legacy. Consider how the image presents a narrative of power, yet also hints at the individual identity of its subject. What does it mean to have one’s likeness captured and preserved? The portrait invites us to reflect on the complex relationship between public persona and private self. It’s a dance between the individual and the expectations of society.