Portret van Salomon van Til op 48-jarige leeftijd 1691 - 1731

This is Pieter van Gunst’s "Portrait of Salomon van Til at age 48," an engraving from around 1707. The image presents us with a structured composition, where the oval frame and rectangular base create a visual hierarchy. The texture is achieved through meticulous lines, hatching and cross-hatching, giving a palpable sense of depth and form. The contrast between light and shadow enhances the subject’s features, drawing our eyes to his gaze and gesture. The frame, more than just decorative, acts as a semiotic boundary, separating the sitter from our space. The formal rigidity suggests the sitter's status and the values of the time, emphasizing rationalism and order.