Portret van Ernst Casimir, graaf van Nassau-Dietz 1786

Jan Punt created this portrait of Ernst Casimir, Count of Nassau-Dietz, using etching techniques. The image is defined by its intricate linework and structured composition, with the count presented within an oval frame set against a cross-hatched background. The portrait uses the structural device of a frame within a frame. This draws immediate focus to the subject's face, framed by a voluminous ruff, a beard, and hair. The dark lines of his armor contrast with the fineness of the ruff, creating a play between strength and delicacy. The texture achieved through etching adds depth, enhancing the realistic depiction of Casimir’s features and attire. The formal structure of the artwork—the use of shape, line, and texture—mirrors the hierarchical structures of 18th-century society. It is a cultural code designed to assert authority and convey status. Through Punt’s technique, we see not just an image, but a statement about power, portrayed through the visual language of his time.