Algernon Percy, 10th Earl of Northumberland 

Anthony van Dyck painted this portrait of Algernon Percy, the 10th Earl of Northumberland, using oil on canvas. The composition is structured with a muted palette, where somber grays and blacks set off the Earl's face. The stark white collar frames his face, directing the viewer's gaze to his subtly illuminated expression. Van Dyck’s technique uses light and shadow to model the Earl's features, lending depth and volume to his face. This portrait exists within a visual and cultural language that signifies power and status. The armour suggests his military role, while the overall aesthetic leans on a code of aristocratic representation. Yet, the portrait transcends simple depiction, using color and form to create a semiotic interplay between subject and viewer. It's a statement about visibility, presence, and the structures of identity that art can both reflect and challenge.