Portret van Mohammed ibn 'Abd al-Malik 1749 - 1796

This is Johann Ernst Mansfeld's rendering of "Portret van Mohammed ibn 'Abd al-Malik," likely made using engraving techniques. Immediately, one notices the oval frame—an elaborate structure decorated with ribbons and foliage—encasing the portrait of Mohammed. This formal framing device not only isolates the subject but also monumentalizes him. Mansfeld meticulously employs line and shadow to articulate the subject’s features. The textures, from the soft folds of the turban to the subtle gradations defining the face, are captured with precision. The use of chiaroscuro lends the portrait depth, underscoring the sitter’s contemplative expression. The artwork’s composition and structure seem intended to convey status. The symmetrical arrangement, combined with the subject's direct gaze, evokes a sense of authority. The text inscription below further situates Mohammed within a specific historical and political context. The print invites us to consider how representation is used to construct and communicate power dynamics.