Portret van Edward Leigh 1687 - 1743

This is Johann Georg Mentzel's portrait of Edward Leigh. Executed with meticulous detail, the print captures the likeness of Leigh, set within an oval frame, which then sits atop a rectangular pedestal bearing an inscription. Mentzel's engraving technique employs hatching and cross-hatching to model form and texture. Notice how the face is brought forward using light while shadow is used to add weight and volume to the sitter's draped clothing. The composition reflects the visual conventions of portraiture during this period but simultaneously engages with the rise of rationalism and scientific observation. The lines in the artwork create a formal structure that invites close visual analysis. The inscription not only identifies the sitter but also situates him within a network of social and intellectual relations. It's a reminder that portraiture is not just about representation but also about constructing identity and social status through a complex interplay of signs and symbols.