Portret van Heinrich XXIV, Graf Reuß-Köstritz 1749

This engraving by Johann Martin Bernigeroth portrays Heinrich XXIV, Graf Reuß-Köstritz, and offers a glimpse into the social hierarchies of 18th-century Germany. The image presents Graf Reuß-Köstritz in a simulated stone frame, clad in armour, a symbol of his status and lineage. Made without colour, this aesthetic choice underscores the Graf’s noble status. Visual codes such as the ornate frame, the armor, and the inscription below all speak to the cultural values of the time, where lineage and social standing were paramount. To truly understand this portrait, we must consider the socio-political context of the Holy Roman Empire, the complex web of feudal relationships, and the role of portraiture in asserting power and legacy. Investigating family archives, and books on heraldry can help to understand the visual language of status, the Graf’s lineage, and the cultural values of his time. Art like this is contingent on its social and institutional context.