Dimensions: height 281 mm, width 176 mm
Copyright: Rijks Museum: Open Domain
This is Joannes de Jongh's portrait of Wilhelmus Momma, made using engraving. The composition immediately draws us in with its stark contrast between the light areas and the dense, dark hatching that models Momma’s face and clothes. The oval frame adorned with floral decorations creates a boundary that both contains and elevates the subject. De Jongh masterfully manipulates line and texture to convey depth and form. The intricate details of the hair and the fabric of the robe show a keen attention to the material qualities of the subject's attire. This emphasis on texture and detail reflects a broader artistic concern with realism and the representation of individual character during the period. Beneath the portrait, an inscribed plinth serves as a base, grounding the image and adding another layer of meaning through the text. This combination of visual and textual elements invites us to consider the semiotic interplay between image and word. The inscription, like the portrait itself, invites ongoing interpretation.
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