Portret van Filippo Acciaiuoli 1736 - 1792

This is Johann Simon Negges’s "Portret van Filippo Acciaiuoli," a monochrome print. Notice how the oval frame divides the composition, focusing our attention on Acciaiuoli’s serene face. Negges masterfully uses the print medium to define textures and details, from the soft waves of the hair to the folds of the robes. The framing of the portrait is not merely decorative. Semiotically, the frame functions as a signifier of status, an elaborate border that separates Acciaiuoli from the everyday, marking him as someone of importance. The inscriptions add to this sense of formality, grounding the image within a specific historical and ecclesiastical context. The use of monochrome flattens the image, removing depth and focusing on line and form. The two coats of arms add a hierarchical and symbolic dimension, acting as cultural codes that signal family lineage and allegiance. Together these visual elements work to convey not just an image of an individual, but also a representation of power, identity, and institutional authority.