Portret van Georg von Berchem 1701 - 1729

This is Johann Tscherning’s "Portret van Georg von Berchem", an engraving on paper now held at the Rijksmuseum. The composition, defined by a symmetrical arrangement, immediately evokes a sense of formality. Georg von Berchem is framed within an oval, his gaze directed towards the viewer, creating a direct engagement. Tscherning’s strategic use of line and texture is particularly striking. Fine, precise lines define the contours of von Berchem's face, contrasting with the dense, almost chaotic curls of his wig. This juxtaposition not only highlights the subject's features but also plays with the Baroque interest in surface texture and ornamentation. The visual language of Baroque portraiture served to articulate status, power, and identity. The inscription and heraldic symbols beneath the portrait add layers of meaning, situating von Berchem within a specific social and political context. The formal qualities of this engraving are thus deeply intertwined with the cultural codes of its time.