Portret van Johanna Elisabeth Hohmann, Freifrau von Hohenthal 1752

This is Johann Martin Bernigeroth’s engraving of Johanna Elisabeth Hohmann, Freifrau von Hohenthal. The portrait is structured by a tension between surface detail and spatial depth. Note how the subject, Johanna, is rendered with meticulous precision, from the lace of her gown to the subtle expression on her face. This emphasis on detail flattens the image, bringing Johanna forward. Behind her, Bernigeroth employs atmospheric perspective to suggest depth, with the cityscape fading into the distance. This juxtaposition creates a dynamic interplay between the immediate presence of the subject and the world she inhabits. The composition employs classical elements—drapery, architectural features—to frame Johanna, reinforcing her status and grounding her within a broader cultural context. It's not merely a likeness but a construction of identity, carefully composed and richly detailed. This invites us to consider how portraiture functions as a performance of self.