Felicitas von Eckh (-Freyberg) 1553

Hanns Lautensack created this engraving, "Felicitas von Eckh (-Freyberg)," around 1553. Note the composition: the sitter is framed within a rigid structure of horizontals and verticals. The sharp lines delineate not just her form but also her character, etched with precision and an unflinching realism. Look at the play of light and shadow that models her face, each line adding to a sense of lived experience and gravity. The backdrop is sharply divided, and the contrast between the window, the landscape, and the vessels behind her head is striking. The formal structure does more than simply represent Felicitas. It speaks to broader notions of identity, social role, and the era's fascination with capturing an individual's essence. Lautensack's engraving is a structured examination of the human condition, inviting us to consider the interplay between representation and reality.