Portret van Bartolomeo di Passano c. 1655 - 1668

Gerard Bouttats created this portrait of Bartolomeo di Passano using engraving techniques. The oval composition immediately draws the eye, framing the subject in a formal yet intimate manner. Lines of varying thickness define shapes and textures, from the delicate ruff to the detailed rendering of Passano’s face. The structural arrangement of the portrait is quite striking. The subject is presented above a rectangular plinth, lending the portrait a classical monumentality. Bouttats utilizes the conventions of portraiture to convey the sitter's status and character. However, the graphic nature of engraving, with its emphasis on line and pattern, subtly destabilizes traditional notions of representation. Consider how Bouttats’ strategic use of hatching creates depth and volume, yet simultaneously flattens the image, reminding us of its artifice. Ultimately, this work serves as a testament to the power of formal artistic strategies to mediate between representation and abstraction, challenging our assumptions about portraiture and identity.