Burckhardt Lebrecht Behrisch - Johann Martin Bernigeroth

A detailed 1751 copperplate engraving by Johann Martin Bernigeroth, portraying the Dresden official Burckhardt Lebrecht Behrisch within an architectural frame.

This copperplate engraving by Johann Martin Bernigeroth depicts Burckhardt Lebrecht Behrisch, a figure of significance in eighteenth-century Dresden. Bernigeroth, a skilled engraver based in Leipzig, was known for his precise execution of portraiture, often commissioned to document the aristocracy and civic leaders of the period. The work follows the conventions of the era, presenting the subject within a trompe l'oeil architectural frame that suggests a window or niche.

Behrisch is shown in three-quarter view, wearing a periwig and formal attire consistent with the mid-eighteenth-century fashion of the German middle and upper classes. The drapery of his coat is rendered with fine cross-hatching, demonstrating the technical control required for intaglio printing. Below the portrait, a cartouche contains the subject's name and biographical details, including his role as a consul in Dresden and his dates of birth and death. The inclusion of a coat of arms to the right of the text adds a heraldic element, reinforcing the social status of the sitter.

Bernigeroth's approach to light and shadow creates a sense of volume, particularly in the folds of the fabric and the depth of the stone-like frame. The engraving is signed and dated in the lower right corner, confirming its production in 1751. This print serves as a record of the visual culture of the Enlightenment, where the dissemination of portrait prints allowed for the circulation of likenesses among the educated public. The composition balances the formality of the portrait with the decorative elements of the frame, typical of the late Baroque and early Rococo influence on German printmaking. The work remains a clear example of the professional standards maintained by German engravers during this period, providing a window into the life of a Dresden official.