Portret van Jules Mazarin 1652

This is Pierre Daret's "Portret van Jules Mazarin", made around 1652. The print is striking for its use of line and form to convey power and status. Mazarin is framed within an oval, an established way to depict nobility in the 17th century. Yet, Daret complicates this classical form through the intricate details of Mazarin's robe and hair, creating a tension between the ordered structure and the fluidity of the lines. Notice how the detailed hatching suggests the texture of the fabric, contrasting with the smooth, almost flattened depiction of Mazarin's face. This play between depth and flatness, detail and simplification, engages with semiotic ideas about representation. The overall composition reflects the complex political and cultural environment of the time, challenging fixed meanings of power through artistic expression. It's a reminder that art is not just about likeness but also about questioning and reinterpreting the world.