Portret van Karel V 1641

This is Sebastian Furck’s portrait of Charles V, created around the mid-17th century. The print’s composition, encased within an oval frame, immediately suggests a controlled formality. Notice how Furck uses line and texture to distinguish between the figure of Charles V and the background. The detailed cross-hatching on his armor and facial features creates a tactile sense of presence. The artist uses the formal structure of the portrait to convey power, employing framing devices and inscriptions to construct meaning. The Latin text transforms the image into a symbolic representation of authority, where each element contributes to the construction of Charles V's persona as emperor. Ultimately, the formal elements work to create a discourse around power, legacy, and representation, illustrating how a portrait can function as both an aesthetic object and a complex historical document.