Cort Sivertsen Adeler 1703 - 1757

This is "Cort Sivertsen Adeler", an engraving by Johann Christoph Sysang. The rigid geometric border sharply defines the pictorial space and encloses the figure of Adeler, a General Admiral. Sysang’s graphic technique is characterized by dense hatched lines, modeling the forms through tonal variation rather than stark contrast. The use of line in the engraving defines the textures and patterns, from the intricate lace collar to the voluminous wig. The careful rendering of the subject’s attire suggests an interest in the material culture and social hierarchy of the time. The use of geometric forms and patterns in the border, combined with the naturalistic depiction of Adeler, creates a dynamic tension. The composition, with its structured arrangement of lines and shapes, invites us to consider how such formal elements can communicate ideas about power, identity, and representation within the context of 18th-century portraiture. This artwork operates within a semiotic system, where visual components act as signs carrying cultural and historical meaning.