Penning met bustes van de hertog en hertogin van Bourgondië 1702

This piece by Gérard Edelinck presents the busts of the Duke and Duchess of Burgundy in a circular engraving. The composition immediately draws the eye to the profiles of the figures, rendered with meticulous detail. The delicate lines create texture in their hair and clothing, set against the stark contrast of the surrounding space. The work’s structure, with its symmetrical arrangement and circular frame, evokes classical coin design, reflecting the formality of the era. The artist’s precision and clean lines lend the image a sense of order, yet the gaze between the Duke and Duchess suggests a connection, a narrative element within the rigid form. Consider how Edelinck employs the symbolic language of portraiture to not only represent, but also subtly negotiate, power dynamics and relationships within the Burgundian court. This engraving serves not just as a visual record, but as an active participant in the cultural and political discourse of its time. By examining its formal elements, we begin to unlock its complex meanings.