Portret van Casparus Meijer 1786 - 1809

This is Reinier Vinkeles' portrait of Casparus Meijer, made using etching. The subject is encased within an oval frame and contrasts a lightly textured surface with the smooth lines of the border. This contrast draws the eye inward, focusing our attention on the sitter’s expression. The composition emphasizes a tension between the two-dimensional surface and an illusion of depth, typical of portraiture. Vinkeles uses hatching and cross-hatching to create tonal variations, giving shape to Meijer’s face and clothing. The linear quality of the etching enhances the formal and somewhat rigid representation, reflecting the structured social norms of the time. Below the portrait, the blank panel creates a minimalist sign, perhaps to encourage the viewer to reflect on the ambiguities inherent in representation. This piece invites us to consider how artistic techniques can both reveal and conceal aspects of identity and status.