Portret van Willem van der Zaan 1785 - 1796

This is Reinier Vinkeles's "Portret van Willem van der Zaan" printed with etching around the 18th century, now at the Rijksmuseum. The print shows Willem van der Zaan encased in an oval frame, which is placed atop a rectangular pedestal. The piece uses line and form to construct the figure, and the composition is rigidly symmetrical. This symmetry speaks to the Enlightenment values of reason and order that were ascendant during the period. The etched lines create a sense of depth, but the overall flatness of the composition also nods towards the limitations of representation and the constructed nature of images. The use of the oval frame is also notable. It sets the portrait apart, suggesting a defined space for the subject's identity. The sharp geometric forms of the rectangle contrast with the curve of the oval, creating tension and drawing attention to the constructed nature of the portrait itself. The print destabilizes notions of fixed identity and representation, hinting at the complexities beneath the surface.