Diverse portretten van koningen en koninklijke zegels 1729 - 1733

Dominique Sornique created this print of royal portraits and seals sometime in the 18th century. The composition is neatly divided, featuring a frieze at the top, a full-length portrait on the left, and an array of smaller portrait seals on the right. This arrangement provides a structured view of power and identity through different visual forms. Sornique's use of line is particularly striking. The precise, controlled lines define the figures and create a sense of clarity. Notice how the lines vary in thickness to suggest depth and shadow, giving the figures a tangible presence. The contrast between the linear precision of the portraits and the more fluid rendering of the frieze adds a dynamic tension to the overall design. Consider how the formal elements of line and composition contribute to the print's exploration of power, representation and historical memory. The print is not just a record but an interpretation, inviting us to consider the visual languages through which authority is constructed and communicated.