das  Bildnis

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈbɪltnɪs/

🎨 What exactly is *ein Bildnis*?

The German word Bildnis (neuter, article: das) refers to an artistic representation of a person, especially their face. It's a synonym for Porträt (*portrait*), but is often perceived as somewhat more elevated or archaic than the word *Porträt*.

It can relate to various art forms:

• Gemälde (*paintings*)
• Zeichnung (*drawings*)
• Fotografie (*photographs*)
• Skulptur (*sculptures*, e.g., a bust)

Essentially, it's about capturing the appearance and often the character or social standing of a person. It is always an Abbild (*likeness*), a representation.

⚠️ Caution: Don't confuse it with Bild (more general, *picture*, can depict anything) or Abbild (can also be schematic, *image* or *likeness*).

📐 Grammar of *'das Bildnis'* in Detail

The word *Bildnis* is a neuter noun. Its article is das. The declension follows a pattern typical for many nouns ending in -nis: The genitive singular can add -ses, and the plural is formed with -se.

Example Sentences

1. Das Bildnis der Königin hängt im Thronsaal.
   (The portrait of the queen hangs in the throne room.)
2. Der Künstler fertigte ein eindrucksvolles Bildnis des alten Mannes an.
   (The artist created an impressive portrait of the old man.)
3. Der Wert des Bildnisses wird auf Millionen geschätzt.
   (The value of the portrait is estimated at millions.)
4. In der Galerie sind viele berühmte Bildnisse ausgestellt.
   (Many famous portraits are exhibited in the gallery.)
5. Sie betrachteten die alten Bildnisse ihrer Vorfahren.
   (They looked at the old portraits of their ancestors.)

🖼️ Usage Context: When to use *'das Bildnis'*?

The word Bildnis is primarily used in the context of art and representation.

• Elevated Language: It often sounds more formal or literary than the more common word Porträt (*portrait*). You'll find it more frequently in texts about art history or in older literature.
• Focus on Likeness: A *Bildnis* often emphasizes the intention to depict a person recognizably.
• Historical Context: Often used for historical portraits of rulers, nobles, or significant figures.

Comparison with similar words:

• Porträt: The most common word for a depiction of a person, especially in modern times (e.g., *Fotoporträt* - photo portrait, *gemaltes Porträt* - painted portrait).
• Abbild: A more general term for a representation or copy of something. A *Bildnis* is a specific *Abbild* of a person.
• Konterfei: An outdated word for *Bildnis* or *Porträt*, rarely used today except in historical or ironic contexts.
• Darstellung: A very general term that can encompass any form of representation, not just of people.

Today, one would more likely say "Ich lasse ein Porträt von mir machen" (*I'm having a portrait made of myself*) than "Ich lasse ein Bildnis von mir machen", although the latter is grammatically correct.

🧠 Mnemonics for *'das Bildnis'*

1. Mnemonic for the Article (*das*):

   Imagine seeing das schöne Gemälde (*the beautiful painting*), das aufwendige Mosaik (*the elaborate mosaic*), das künstlerische Objekt (*the artistic object*) – many art-related nouns in German are neuter. And das Bildnis belongs here too. The ending -nis often (but not always!) indicates a neuter noun. Think of: das Zeugnis (*certificate*), das Geheimnis (*secret*), das Bedürfnis (*need*).

2. Mnemonic for the Meaning (*portrait*):

   A Bildnis is a Bild (*picture*) made so you remember someone, or better: so you know what someone is like (capturing their essence). Bild-nis sounds a bit like *picture-is*. It captures the 'is-ness' of a person.

↔️ Synonyms & Antonyms for *Bildnis*

Similar sounding/confusing words:

• Bild: General term for any kind of *picture*.
• Bedürfnis: Sounds similar due to the '-nis' ending but has a completely different meaning (*need*, *requirement*).

😂 A Little Art Joke

Deutsch: Fragt der Museumsbesucher den Wärter: "Sagen Sie mal, ist dieses abstrakte Bildnis wirklich von Ihrer vierjährigen Tochter?" Antwortet der Wärter: "Nein, von Picasso. Aber das Prinzip ist dasselbe!"

English: A museum visitor asks the guard: "Tell me, is this abstract portrait really by your four-year-old daughter?" The guard replies: "No, by Picasso. But the principle is the same!"

📜 A Poem about *das Bildnis*

Deutsch:
Ein Pinselstrich, ein Seufzer leis,
Das Bildnis entsteht auf seine Weis'.
Augen blicken aus der Leinwand Zeit,
Ein stummer Zeuge der Vergangenheit.

Farbe und Form, ein zartes Spiel,
Fängt ein den Menschen, sein Gefühl.
Ein Lächeln, Ernst, ein tiefer Blick,
Im Bildnis lebt ein Augenblick.

English Translation:
A brushstroke soft, a gentle sigh,
The portrait comes to be nearby.
Eyes gaze out from the canvas' time,
A silent witness to a paradigm.

Color and form, a delicate play,
Captures the person, come what may.
A smile, a sternness, a gaze so deep,
In the portrait, moments sleep.

❓ Riddle Time: What am I?

Deutsch:
Ich zeige ein Gesicht, doch habe keins.
Ich spreche nicht, doch erzähl' von Seins.
Bin oft gemalt, gezeichnet, auch gepresst,
Ein Abbild, das die Zeit überdauern lässt.

Was bin ich? ... Das Bildnis

English Translation:
I show a face, but possess none.
I do not speak, yet tell of life outrun.
I'm often painted, drawn, or even pressed,
An image that time puts to the test.

What am I? ... A portrait (*das Bildnis*)

💡 Interesting Facts about *das Bildnis*

Word Formation (Wortbildung):

The word *Bildnis* is derived from the word *Bild* (*picture*) using the suffix *-nis*. This suffix is often used to form nouns from verbs or other nouns, frequently expressing a result or a state (e.g., *Erlaubnis* - permission, *Ergebnis* - result, *Geheimnis* - secret). Nouns ending in *-nis* are often neuter (*das*) or feminine (*die*), rarely masculine (*der*).

Cultural Significance (Kulturelle Bedeutung):

For centuries, portraits (*Bildnisse*) held immense significance in manifesting power, status, and memory. Before the invention of photography, painted or drawn portraits were the only way to record a person's appearance. They were often status symbols for nobility and wealthy citizens.