Portrait of Gottlieb von Haeseler - Johann Martin Bernigeroth

A formal eighteenth-century engraving by Johann Martin Bernigeroth, depicting the Prussian official Gottlieb von Haeseler in his study.

This engraving by Johann Martin Bernigeroth depicts Gottlieb von Haeseler, a government official in Magdeburg. The work follows the conventions of eighteenth-century portraiture, placing the subject in a formal interior setting. Haeseler is shown in a three-quarter view, seated beside a desk with a quill in hand, suggesting his role as a man of letters and administration. Behind him, a heavy curtain is draped, adding a sense of theatre to the composition. A bookshelf is visible in the background, while a distant cityscape appears through an opening on the left side of the frame.

Bernigeroth demonstrates technical precision in his handling of the burin. The textures of the subject's velvet coat, the lace at his cuffs, and the ornate carving of the furniture are rendered with distinct clarity. The lower portion of the print features a cartouche containing the subject's coat of arms, flanked by elaborate calligraphic inscriptions that detail his titles, birth date, and death date. This format was common for commemorative prints of the period, intended to document the status and identity of the sitter for a contemporary audience.

Johann Martin Bernigeroth was a prolific engraver based in Leipzig, known for his contributions to portrait series and book illustrations. His work often captured the formal attire and social standing of the German aristocracy and civil service. This print provides a clear example of the mid-eighteenth-century approach to portraiture, where the sitter's professional identity is communicated through specific attributes and a controlled, dignified pose. The composition balances the figure with the surrounding architectural elements, creating a sense of order and stability.