Portret van Johannes Calvijn schrijvend in een boek after 1858

This is Frederik Hendrik Weissenbruch’s portrait of Johannes Calvin, made with an etching technique. The composition is immediately striking for its contrasting textures, from the soft fur of Calvin’s robe to the sharp lines of the book he is reading and writing in. Weissenbruch's use of chiaroscuro, with light focused on Calvin's face and hands, serves to highlight the intellectual labor and devotion of the reformer. This contrast between light and shadow is not just a visual technique, but a semiotic tool that emphasizes the complexity of the historical figure. The linearity of the etching technique is also notable, creating a sense of order and precision. Look at how Weissenbruch uses line to define the contours of Calvin's face, conveying a sense of his sternness. This linearity reflects the historical context, and the emphasis on structure is more than aesthetic: it's a framework for understanding how Calvinism reshaped theological and social structures.