Portret van Wilhelm von Rijssel 1703 - 1733

Martin Bernigeroth created this portrait of Wilhelm von Rijssel using etching. The overwhelming impression is one of ornate formality and controlled textures. Note the use of oval shape as a boundary for the subject, softening the sternness through its curved lines, creating a sense of enclosure, while also offering a sharp contrast with the rigid rectangular base. Bernigeroth masterfully uses etching to create contrasts. Observe how the textures and materiality inform our understanding of social status in the Baroque period. The wig, rendered with meticulous detail, spills voluminously, contrasting against the smooth stone frame and the soft fabric backdrop. The interplay of lines, from the fine hatching on the face to the bolder strokes defining the clothing, adds depth and solidity to the figure, which is further emphasized by his hand, asserting not just presence but active engagement. The portrait serves not merely as representation but also as cultural performance. It's a dance of controlled expression, where every element – the wig, the drape, the hand – signals a very particular narrative.