Portret van Ulrich Zwingli 1818 - 1832

This is Gustav Zumpe’s portrait of Ulrich Zwingli, rendered in tones of gray. The portrait is framed by an octagonal border, which creates a sense of containment, focusing our attention on the subject's profile. Zumpe’s use of light and shadow across Zwingli’s face models a sense of depth and three-dimensionality. Linear strokes define his features and clothing. The detailed rendering of Zwingli’s garments adds to the visual texture of the image, contrasting with the smooth planes of his face. The use of hatching and cross-hatching creates gradients of tone, adding depth to the figure within its frame. The very geometric shape around the figure imposes a structure upon the portrait, mediating between the historical figure and the viewer. This structured presentation invites us to consider how historical figures are framed and understood through constructed images.