Portret van Friedrich Hoffmann op 58-jarige leeftijd 1721

This is Johann Georg Mentzel’s portrait of Friedrich Hoffmann at age 58. Made with engraving, the composition immediately draws us into a world of structured formality. The oval frame around Hoffmann is neatly balanced by the rectangular base and the draped fabric above, creating a hierarchy of forms. This structured arrangement provides a semiotic order. Hoffmann's centered gaze and posture suggest a controlled, rational persona. The textures, achieved through intricate lines, contrast the smoothness of Hoffmann's face with the richness of his wig and robes. The engraver's lines become active agents in defining not just shape but also the cultural codes of status and intellect. Through its precise visual language, the artwork invites an analysis of how order, representation, and identity are constructed. The very act of viewing is framed as an exercise in deciphering these signs.