Portret van hertog Odoardo Farnese 1612 - 1647

This is Michel van Lochom's "Portrait of Duke Odoardo Farnese," made with engraving techniques around the mid-17th century. The portrait's formal structure is striking, framed within an oval, and set against a cross-hatched background that creates a field of visual tension. The duke's figure is meticulously detailed, from the ornate lace collar to the texture of his hair, all rendered in precise lines. Van Lochom uses the contrast between light and shadow to model the duke's face, giving it volume and presence. The semiotic richness is found in the details: the lace signifying wealth and status, the composed expression suggesting authority. The very act of portraying the Duke within a geometric frame imposes order, reflecting the era's concerns with hierarchy and control. The engraving technique itself—the mechanical reproduction of an image—echoes the period’s broader engagement with disseminating knowledge and solidifying power through visual representation. This artwork is not just a likeness but a carefully constructed statement about the subject's position in the world.