Filips de Goede, hertog van Bourgondië, met gezelschap 1790 - 1791

This etching by Jan Kobell, made around the late 18th century, depicts Philip the Good, Duke of Burgundy, and his entourage. The composition is meticulously structured, almost theatrical. Kobell uses line and form to convey a sense of historical formality. The subjects are rendered with a delicate linearity, which is a characteristic of late 18th-century printmaking. The clothing and heraldic symbols suggest an attempt to visually order society, not unlike the linguistic structures examined by structuralist theory. Consider how the rigid lines defining the figures contrast with the elaborate patterns of the clothing, destabilizing any singular interpretation of power. Kobell's work exists within a cultural framework where signs and symbols communicate not just status but a complex web of social and political relationships. Notice the subtle ways in which Kobell uses shading to suggest depth and texture, creating a visual field that is both decorative and informative. This etching is an invitation to decode the visual language of its time, reminding us that art is not just representation, but a dynamic interplay of form, sign, and cultural meaning.