Portret van Paul Tarnow 1743

Johann Martin Bernigeroth created this print, *Portret van Paul Tarnow*, sometime in the 18th century using etching and engraving. The piece exists as a portrait within a frame, held within a frame; echoing the complex and layered nature of identity. Bernigeroth was working during a time of rigid social structures; class, gender, and religious affiliations shaped people's lives. The portrait captures Paul Tarnow, a man of apparent importance, and the image conveys the weight of his societal role. The crisp ruff around Tarnow’s neck can be seen to symbolize the confinement of identity, with a clear definition of who you are and how you're expected to behave. The portrait becomes a stage for negotiating identity, both reflecting and shaping societal expectations. How do we reconcile the tension between our authentic selves and the roles we play for society? This image remains emotionally relevant for a world that has shifted, yet remains constrained.