Portret van Thomas Tollemache 1741 - 1743

Jacob Houbraken made this engraving, "Portret van Thomas Tollemache," sometime in the 18th century. What strikes the eye first is the interplay of textures achieved through meticulous engraving: the soft curls of Tollemache's wig contrast sharply with the hard, polished surfaces of his armor. The composition is structured around an oval portrait frame, echoed by the oval helmet below, creating a visual harmony that draws us into the sitter's world. Houbraken's use of line is particularly noteworthy. Fine, delicate lines define Tollemache's features, conveying a sense of refinement and intellect, while bolder, more assertive lines give weight and substance to the armor and surrounding objects. Look closely at the scene depicted in the lower right. The figures are suggestive of torture, a narrative element that infuses the portrait with a complex semiotic tension between power, violence, and representation. It serves not just as a depiction but as a statement about the sitter's identity.