Portret van Hendrik IV c. 1830

This is a portrait of Hendrik IV by C.H. Farcy, created using engraving techniques. The portrait immediately strikes us with its intricate detailing, achieved through a network of fine lines that define form and texture. Notice how the artist uses hatching and cross-hatching to model the face, giving depth to the figure. The textures of the beard, hair, and ornate costume contrast sharply, creating a rich visual field. Farcy's engraving captures not just the likeness but the texture of power. The composition, confined within a rectangle, directs our focus to the subject’s gaze, presenting him as a figure of authority. The precision of the lines is not merely descriptive; it is a means of constructing an image that speaks to the values of representation and social hierarchy. The artwork offers a site for ongoing interpretation, reflecting a continuous interplay between the artist's technique, the subject's persona, and the viewer's perception.