Donna antica di Spagna 1598

This engraving, 'Donna antica di Spagna' by Christoph Krieger, presents a figure framed by ornamental borders. The image is defined by line and the contrast of black and white. The figure's dress, with its vertical lines, creates a sense of height. Notice the intricate details of her sleeves, the folds suggesting volume. The mirror she holds reflects not an image, but a visual void, prompting reflection on the nature of representation itself. The surrounding frame introduces another layer of visual complexity. Krieger destabilizes simple portraiture through the linear, graphic quality of the engraving technique. The image, therefore, becomes a site of structural interplay.