Portret van Jean Daillé 1659

This is a portrait of Jean Daillé, made as an engraving, date unknown, by an anonymous artist. The image is dominated by the sitter's head and shoulders, framed within an oval border. The formal structure of the portrait, with its dense cross-hatching, creates a stark contrast between light and shadow, lending a sculptural quality to Daillé's features. This rigorous depiction invites us to consider how the artist employs the conventions of portraiture to convey character. Daillé's gaze, averted slightly, suggests introspection, while the meticulous rendering of his garments and hair underscores the importance of detail in conveying status. Here, the semiotic system of signs – clothing, hairstyle, and even the angle of the head – combine to construct an image of authority and intellect. This portrait is not just a likeness but a carefully constructed representation of identity within a specific social and intellectual milieu.