Portret van Christian Sigmund Georgi c. 1736 - 1767

Johann Martin Bernigeroth created this print of Christian Sigmund Georgi sometime in the mid-18th century. The portrait, with its formal composition and focus on the sitter's likeness, reflects the values of the Enlightenment era. Georgi, bewigged and draped, has a book by his side - an attribute designed to signal his learning and status. Yet, the gaze is somewhat detached. His expression invites us to ponder the cost of knowledge and the burden of representation. Bernigeroth here isn't just capturing a likeness, but also the complex relationship between identity and social expectation. This image is a document of its time, reflecting the intertwined nature of personal identity and public persona. Consider how societal pressures influence the way we present ourselves, and how much of our true selves is visible in the portraits we create.