Portret van wiskundige en astronoom Joseph-Louis Lagrange after 1813

Giuseppe Rados created this portrait of Joseph-Louis Lagrange using an etching technique. The composition centres around Lagrange's bust, framed within a softly shaded oval, creating an immediate focus on his face. The texture of his fur collar is rendered with delicate lines, contrasting with the smoother treatment of his face. Consider how Rados uses the print medium to convey not just the likeness of Lagrange, but also his intellectual stature. The etching technique allows for fine details and tonal gradations, symbolizing clarity and precision, attributes associated with scientific thought. Below the portrait is an inscription accompanied by mathematical instruments. These symbols ground Lagrange's identity in the realm of science and mathematics. The formal structure of the portrait, with its emphasis on clarity and detail, elevates the status of the subject, suggesting a connection between rationalism and portraiture. This artwork serves as a cultural artifact, embodying the values of the Enlightenment.