Portret van Bernhard Waldschmidt op 52-jarige leeftijd 1660

This is Andreas Frölich’s engraving of Bernhard Waldschmidt at 52 years of age. A somber affect emanates from the subject of the portrait, achieved through the artist's calculated deployment of line and form. Frölich entraps the gaze within the oval enclosure, reinforcing a sense of formal containment that speaks to the social structures of the time. The textural rendering of Waldschmidt’s face, juxtaposed with the elaborate yet rigid ruff, underscores a tension between individual character and societal expectation. The use of hatching defines depth and shadow. The inscription, with its formal lettering, adds another layer to this structured composition. Here, language and image function together, creating a semiotic interplay that is not merely descriptive but constructive. The overall effect encourages contemplation of how portraiture, as a genre, embodies and negotiates identity, representation and social role. This piece is a site of ongoing dialogue about the relationship between form, content, and cultural context.