Zittende man met baret en dolk 1886

This etching, *Zittende man met baret en dolk*, was created by Willem Linnig II in 1886. Notice how Linnig uses a dense network of lines to build up the image, creating a compelling interplay of light and shadow. The composition, although small, suggests a much larger world through its textured details and nuanced contrasts. The subject, a seated man in elaborate attire, is rendered with a focus on costume and adornment, which gives us insight into the era's values. Here, the man's clothing, particularly the baret and dolk, are not mere details, but rather signs loaded with cultural significance. They speak to notions of status, identity, and perhaps even power. Linnig's focus on these elements challenges viewers to consider the semiotic codes embedded in the artwork, and how these communicate complex meanings beyond the mere depiction of a figure.