Portret van Gisbertus Bonnet 1795 - 1805

This is Govert Kitsen’s monochrome print, “Portret van Gisbertus Bonnet”. Its visual structure is defined by a play of contrasting tones and textures, with Bonnet’s figure encased within an oval frame. The formal composition uses contrasting shades to give shape to Bonnet’s features and attire. Notice how Kitsen employs light and shadow, particularly in Bonnet’s wig and robe, to convey volume and texture. The sharp lines defining his profile contrast with the softer gradations of the background, emphasizing the sitter's presence. The formal arrangement, with the portrait set against a blank space, reflects a structured approach to representation, typical of the period. Below, the addition of text introduces a semiotic layer. This challenges the artwork's purely aesthetic function. The script transforms the image into a signifier of status, profession and moral qualities attributed to Bonnet. The structure of the portrait, combined with the textual elements, engages with cultural codes and power structures, inviting us to interpret beyond the surface.