Portret van Evrard van der Marck 1620 - 1699

This is an undated portrait of Evrard van der Marck, Cardinal and Prince of Liege, by an anonymous artist. Notice the composition is dominated by the oval frame, a visual device that both contains and emphasizes the Cardinal. The engraver uses the formal structure of the portrait to signal power and status through the carefully delineated details of his garments and the heraldic symbols below. The lines are precise, creating texture and depth that invite closer inspection. Look at how the light plays across the Cardinal's face, achieved through varied hatching techniques. Consider, too, the implications of an anonymous artist; it destabilizes the cult of the individual. This engraving is less about personal expression and more about conveying the social standing of the sitter, which reflects broader cultural values and the semiotic systems that underpinned early modern European society. The emphasis here is on rank and office, and the visual form acts as a signifier of authority.