Portret van Charles Henri Hector d'Estaing 1818 - 1918

Jean Charles Pardinel created this portrait of Charles Henri Hector d'Estaing using a linear style, which emphasizes contour over volume and evokes a formal, almost austere presence. The composition relies heavily on vertical and diagonal lines, particularly in the depiction of the military figure and the makeshift barricade he leans upon. These lines create a sense of structure and order, yet the slight incline of the ground beneath his feet introduces a subtle tension, suggesting a world not entirely stable. Pardinel seems to use semiotics to place d'Estaing in a setting that signifies readiness and perhaps reflects the subject's role in the navy. Notice how the use of hatching and cross-hatching defines the forms, creating depth and shadow, but also flattening the image to focus on the symbolic rather than the purely representational. This technique destabilizes the conventional portrait, challenging viewers to look beyond the mere likeness of the subject and consider the broader implications of identity and authority.