Portret van Andreas aartshertog van Oostenrijk 1579 - 1615

This is Dominicus Custos’s portrait of Archduke Andreas of Austria, made sometime around the turn of the 17th century. Note how Custos uses line and texture to present both the man and his status. Thin, closely-hatched lines create smooth tonal gradients on the Archduke’s face that contrast sharply with the dense, coarse textures describing the drapery behind him. This contrast creates a visual hierarchy that subtly elevates the Archduke. Consider how the composition draws the eye upwards: beginning with the inscription at the bottom, leading to the man’s collar, then his face, and finally to the top of his hat. This careful arrangement implies that one should literally look up to the Archduke. It is through Custos’s calculated deployment of visual forms that the portrait creates meaning, crafting not just an image of a man, but also an assertion of power.