Dimensions: height 297 mm, width 199 mm
Copyright: Rijks Museum: Open Domain
Martin Bernigeroth created this portrait of Caspar Corswant using etching techniques. It’s fascinating to consider the socio-cultural values that shaped both the artist and his subject in the late 17th and early 18th centuries. Caspar Corswant, with his elaborate wig and formal attire, embodies the ideals of status and intellect of his era. Yet, portraits like these also served to reinforce a rigid social hierarchy. Bernigeroth's meticulous technique invites us to reflect on how identity was carefully constructed and presented in a society marked by stark class divisions. The etching’s precision reflects the subject's desire to be seen in a certain light, embodying virtues such as loyalty and diligence, as highlighted in the text below the portrait. Consider how Bernigeroth, as an artist, navigated the dynamics of patronage and self-expression within these constraints. This image is a reminder of how deeply personal identity is intertwined with broader societal narratives, then and now.
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