Portret van Ellis Allen before 1869

Here we see a portrait of Ellis Allen, part of an anonymous book illustration of an unknown date. It is composed within a book spread, with Allen's image on the left-hand page, opposing a block of text on the right. The lithographic portrait of Allen is formally striking. The artist employs a tight crop and a close tonal range to give emphasis to Allen's features. The light catches his high forehead and prominent nose, while the dark suit accentuates his solemn gaze. Note how the textured beard is finely rendered, creating a tactile sense against the smoothness of the paper. The placement of image against text introduces a play between visual and textual semiotics. This relationship, however, is disrupted; the handwriting of the signature creates a direct connection to Allen, whereas the text on the opposing page relates to his social standing in the community. This work, thus, functions as both portrait and social document, using the interplay of image and text to engage with questions of identity and representation.