Portret van Johan Pietersz. van den Brande 1623 - 1668

Reinier van Persijn created this portrait of Johan Pietersz. van den Brande as an engraving. The composition is neatly organized within a circle, which lends a sense of formality. The lines are precise, delineating shapes and adding texture through hatching. The artwork emphasizes a structured arrangement of textual and figurative elements. Note how the circular border contains not just the portrait, but also decorative scrolls and inscriptions. Semiotically, the portrait itself is a signifier of status and character. The inclusion of the coat of arms suggests lineage and nobility, reinforcing van den Brande's identity as a person of importance. The act of depicting him with documents implies not just literacy but also the wielding of influence through written communication. Ultimately, this engraving functions as a formal representation and a cultural artifact, embodying the values of status, intellect, and lineage that were essential to the subject's identity and the society that esteemed him.