Portret van Johann Peter von Ludewig 1715

Curator: Let's turn our attention to this engraving from 1715. It’s entitled “Portret van Johann Peter von Ludewig”, crafted by Martin Bernigeroth. An academic, if you will. Editor: Well, my first impression? A bit… stuffy. The poor chap looks utterly engulfed by that wig. It's like a cloud threatening to rain down powdered seriousness. Curator: The composition is quite formal. Note the use of the oval frame, the drapery pulled back to reveal the sitter. A classic Baroque strategy, all rendered in meticulously fine lines that define the tonality of the face, his jacket… Editor: I can't help but see this as an elaborate performance. All that wig and weighty fabric - these aren't just garments, they're constructing a public persona, shielding him from… vulnerability, perhaps? It all feels so consciously constructed. Curator: It's a common practice to portray status during that era. Ludewig was a jurist and historian, professor, and archivist… these symbols of scholarship, and standing. Notice how his gaze is direct, suggesting authority and self-assurance. This wasn’t just Bernigeroth capturing a likeness. It was codifying position, function, significance. The Latin inscription, also. It's not a frivolous gesture. Editor: Ah yes, Latin: the ultimate power move of the 18th century academic. And those dense little lines giving depth to fabric, framing his face. I can appreciate the skill involved, but somehow, I long to see him in a T-shirt. A bit radical I am afraid, as someone without a powdered wig. Curator: Though it embodies classical ideals of visual language, let's not disregard the medium itself—engraving demands great dexterity and skill. Each tiny mark builds the broader image. The material reality of its fabrication—that intense labor, should be admired. Editor: Well, I can appreciate this glimpse into the past, this snapshot of carefully constructed importance. But still, if I saw that wig walking towards me, I’d definitely cross the street.