Portret van Gaspard de Coligny (IV) 1635 - 1672

Theodor van Merlen the Younger created this portrait of Gaspard de Coligny, the fourth, using engraving techniques. The first thing we notice is the oval frame that neatly encloses Coligny, creating a sense of order and formality. Yet, this structure is immediately destabilized by the lion’s head emerging from beneath, disrupting the frame’s smooth lines. The animal seems to both support and challenge the conventions of portraiture. Consider the semiotic implications. The lion symbolizes courage and nobility. By placing it beneath Coligny's image, Merlen isn't just depicting a noble, but encoding layers of meaning about his status. The use of monochrome etching enhances the texture and depth, creating a tactile quality. This interplay between structure and symbolism, formal constraints and heraldic representation, invites us to reconsider how identity is constructed through art.