Portret van António de Araújo e Azevedo 1811 - 1841

This is Hél. Hubert’s portrait of António de Araújo e Azevedo. Look at how the artist uses line and tone in this print. It's an interplay of light and shadow, carefully structured to achieve a certain effect. The figure is contained within a circle, creating a formal and self-contained composition. This shape isolates the individual, but it also serves to idealize them, almost like placing them on a pedestal. The lines forming the background of the circle are precise, giving a sense of order and rationality. The artist also uses a semiotic system of signs to convey the status of the subject. His clothing, complete with medals, is a code that communicates power and prestige. This portrait engages with Enlightenment values by representing an individual of high status. The visual construction of the image is far from neutral. The portrait does not merely depict an individual but also makes a statement about power, representation, and the structures of society.