Portret van Godefroi comte d'Estrades c. 1642 - 1678

This is Nicolas de Larmessin's print of Godefroi, Comte d'Estrades. Notice the oval frame, a self-contained world rendered with precise, controlled lines. Larmessin uses line and form to create a rigid structure around the Comte, yet infuses elements of softness with the draped ribbon at the top and the flowing hair. The contrasting textures of the Comte’s armour and lace cravat destabilize the reading of his social persona. Consider how Larmessin employs semiotic codes of portraiture. The gaze is directed, yet distant; the armour signifies military prowess, but the lace hints at aristocratic refinement. These elements create tension within the portrait's structure, and ask us to question the signs of power and identity. The print invites us to reconsider the fixed meanings that we attach to the symbols of status and character. It prompts us to reflect on how such symbols are not just aesthetic choices but also constructs of cultural and philosophical discourse.