Portret van kardinaal Damian Hugo Philipp von Schönborn 1715 - 1762

This engraving by Girolamo Rossi portrays Cardinal Damian Hugo Philipp von Schönborn. Its formal structure, encased within an oval frame, presents a study in contrasts between ornamentation and textual articulation. Above the portrait, heraldic crests flank the composition, introducing symbolic complexities that establish status and lineage. Below, inscribed text fills the space, acting as a counterweight to the visual elements above. This textual field, dense with information, anchors the portrait, creating a visual and intellectual balance. Rossi's handling of line is particularly striking. He uses the graphic lines to define the cardinal's features and elaborate wig, emphasizing the textures of fabric. The arrangement of the heraldic symbols, portrait, and text engages with semiotic systems, in which each element functions as a signifier. The Cardinal's gaze meets the viewer directly, challenging any fixed meaning, inviting us to unpack the layers of representation.