Lieutenant O.C. Lange 1748 - 1831

J.F. Clemens created this portrait of Lieutenant O.C. Lange using engraving techniques. The piece is defined by its oval composition and the use of delicate, repetitive marks to build up tone and texture. This technique lends the portrait a soft, almost ethereal quality. The meticulous arrangement of tiny dots and lines reveals the subject's features and clothing, and directs our gaze. The contrast between light and shadow, achieved through varying densities of marks, shapes the Lieutenant’s face, highlighting his composed expression. The artist also draws our attention to details such as the elaborate braiding on his uniform and the stylish curl of his hair. Engraving, as a medium, demands precision and control. Here, it not only captures the likeness of Lieutenant Lange but also embodies the Enlightenment values of order and clarity. Yet, the very act of constructing an image from such minute elements also suggests a deeper engagement with the nature of representation itself, reminding us that what we see is always a careful construction.