Portret van Laurent Boucher 1660 - 1715

This engraving of Laurent Boucher was created by Nicolas Habert around the late 17th or early 18th century. The oval composition and the subject's gaze draw us in, while the textured hatching and the ornate frame assert the sitter's status. Consider how Habert uses line to create form and texture. The density of the lines suggests the weight and texture of Boucher's robes, contrasting with the smoother areas of his face. Notice, too, the textual frame, which not only contains the image but also adds to the overall design and semiotic meaning of the print. The symbolic elements, such as the crest at the bottom, act as signs that contribute to a broader understanding of Boucher's identity. The use of Latin phrases within the frame also signals a learned and clerical context. The engraving functions as a carefully constructed image intended to convey very specific information about the sitter's position and character within society.