Hector of Troy, plate one from The Nine Worthies 1594

This is an engraving of Hector of Troy by Nicolaes de Bruyn. Notice how the circular frame centres our gaze on Hector, whose commanding presence is emphasised by the meticulous detail. The artist uses the contrasting dark lines and lighter areas to construct form and texture. This interplay guides our eyes across the image, animating the composition. The detailed ornamental border, teeming with symbolic motifs, surrounds the central portrait. This creates a tension between the classical representation of Hector and the ornate design. De Bruyn’s strategic use of line and form doesn't merely depict a historical figure but constructs a visual argument about heroism, history, and representation itself. By examining the image's formal elements, we decode the complex layers of meaning embedded within it.