Portret van schilder Lionello Spada 19th century

This is A. Rossena’s portrait of painter Lionello Spada. The print is dominated by tonal contrasts which suggest the sitter’s textured ruff collar, hair and hat, and soft skin. The composition is structured by the contrast between the sitter's dark attire and the stark white ruff. This juxtaposition creates a visual tension, drawing the viewer's eye to the face. The artist uses line and shading to define the volumes of Spada’s face, capturing a sense of depth and presence. Note the grid-like pattern in the background, which asserts the image's constructed, representational nature. The interplay of light and shadow, coupled with the textures, adds complexity to this portrayal. The portrait challenges the notion of a static, fixed identity, instead presenting a play of surfaces and depths that invite ongoing interpretation.