Floris V, graaf van Holland 1771 - 1808

This is Jacques Kuyper’s portrait of Floris V, Count of Holland, made sometime in the late 18th or early 19th century. The print presents Floris within a carefully constructed oval frame, adorned with ribbons and laurel leaves, immediately formalizing the image. The use of monochrome engraving flattens the textures, reducing the dimensionality of the figure and emphasizing the intricate details of his regalia. Consider the structural balance here: the symmetry of the frame versus the asymmetrical arrangement of Floris's features. Kuyper employs a semiotic language of power, embedding symbols of authority within the very structure of the artwork. The details of his attire, from the feathered headwear to the ornate cloak, each element signifies a specific cultural code of status and historical identity. Notice how the artist uses linear precision to define the Count’s features, yet the overall effect is more symbolic than realistic. Kuyper doesn't merely depict Floris; he constructs an image of power, inviting us to decode its components and question its implications.