Portret van Elisabeth Maria Post 1791 - 1802

This is Reinier Vinkeles's portrait of Elisabeth Maria Post, made with etching. The composition is structured around an oval frame, which contains the sitter's bust. This form is then stabilized by a rectangular pedestal. The subdued palette of greys and whites lend the portrait a classical, almost sculptural quality. The texture achieved through etching creates a delicate interplay of light and shadow, enhancing the soft, rounded forms of Post's face and drapery. The books and writing implements arranged at the bottom of the portrait, suggest the sitter's intellectual interests and literary accomplishments. By using these objects, Vinkeles elevates Post, emphasizing her contributions to cultural and intellectual life. The choice of etching as a medium, with its fine lines and tonal subtleties, further underscores the nuanced portrayal of the sitter. Consider how the formal elements, such as the framing oval and balanced composition, function as signs that subtly shape our understanding of the subject's identity and status.