Portret van Amand Berghofer 1789

Adam von Bartsch created this portrait of Amand Berghofer as an engraving. The oval form containing the subject is a window onto Berghofer's composed profile, rendered in precise, almost scientific detail. The artist's use of line and hatching creates subtle gradations of light and shadow. This is achieved through a network of fine lines. Consider how the density of lines defines the contours of Berghofer's face, imbuing it with a sense of depth and volume. Bartsch's expert engraving technique transforms a flat surface into an illusionistic space. This work reflects the Enlightenment's emphasis on reason, observation, and the classification of knowledge. The portrait is not merely a likeness but an exercise in capturing and preserving an individual's essence through the meticulous rendering of form. The print becomes a semiotic object, charged with meaning and cultural significance.