Portret van Jacques-Philippe Le Bas 1762

Louis Jacques Cathelin created this portrait of Jacques-Philippe Le Bas as an engraving measuring 201 by 146 millimetres. It presents a study in contrasts and containment. The subject, depicted in profile, is framed within a perfect circle, itself set against a rectangular backdrop. The engraver's meticulous use of line and texture draws the eye, with the fine lines creating a sense of depth and volume, particularly in the rendering of Le Bas's features and elaborate wig. Cathelin employs hatching and cross-hatching techniques to model form and light. A bow adorns the top of the circle, softening the geometric rigidity with its organic form. The overall effect is one of formal elegance tempered by human detail. The composition invites a semiotic interpretation, where the circle and rectangle could represent containment and order, reflecting the societal structures of the time. The portrait, therefore, is not merely a representation of an individual but a commentary on the era's intellectual and social landscape, inviting ongoing interpretation.