Portret van de wiskundige Siméon Denis Poisson 1821

This is Julien-Léopold Boilly’s portrait of the mathematician Siméon Denis Poisson, made using engraving. The structure of the image is quite simple; a portrait, a short biography, and a signature below. What is striking is the absence of colour; the whole engraving is black and white. The focus is on the subject, Poisson, framed in the centre. The rest of the space is empty, reinforcing the idea that what matters here is Poisson himself. The form is traditionally representational, however, the absence of any setting makes it more abstract, the composition and structure directs the viewer's gaze to the face, inviting a deep analysis of character and intellect through the careful crafting of lines and shapes. Although a seemingly neutral depiction, its formal language invites an examination of the very structure and semiotics of portraiture. The result is a piece that uses simplicity to encourage a deeper, more philosophical engagement.