Portret van Johann Alexander Christ 1707 - 1733

Martin Bernigeroth made this portrait of Johann Alexander Christ, likely around the late 17th or early 18th century, using engraving techniques. Engraving is an intaglio process, meaning the image is incised into a plate, traditionally copper. The artist uses a tool called a burin to carve lines into the surface. Ink is then applied, filling these lines, and the surface is wiped clean. High pressure is then used to transfer the ink from the plate to paper, creating a print. The fine lines and details, visible in Christ’s wig and the allegorical figures of Justice and Cupid, speak to Bernigeroth’s skill. The process demanded precision and control. Each line contributes to the overall image, building up tone and texture. Engravings like this were not only artistic expressions but also served as a means of disseminating images and ideas. They were a form of mass production in their time, allowing for the wider circulation of portraits and other important images. Appreciating the craft involved sheds light on the cultural and social role these prints played.