Portret van Étienne le Camus in een ovale lijst 1684

Simon Thomassin created this oval portrait of Étienne le Camus using etching and engraving techniques. The composition is dominated by the sitter's serene expression. The monochrome palette brings a timeless quality, while the oval frame softens the formality of the portrait. Thomassin’s work reflects the era's fascination with capturing likeness and status through portraiture. The frame, inscribed with text and decorative flourishes, functions as a semiotic device, encoding the identity and importance of the sitter. The cross, centrally placed, asserts the religious and moral structure underlying the composition. Notice how the delicate lines of the engraving form a network of signs that point to the codes of representation and cultural values of the time. This isn't simply a picture; it's a structured communication, where every element is meticulously placed to convey meaning.