Portret van Innocentius Ferrieri 1847

Franciscus Bernardus Waanders created this portrait of Innocentius Ferrieri using lithography. The portrait is striking in its geometric composition, with the sitter placed almost squarely in the center, balanced by the objects on either side. Waanders masterfully uses the lithographic medium to create a play of light and shadow, lending a sculptural quality to Ferrieri’s figure. The sharp lines and contrasts delineate not just the physical form but also the textures of his garments and the surrounding objects. The portrait engages with structuralist notions of binary oppositions: the earthly versus the divine, the corporeal versus the spiritual. Ferrieri's attire and accoutrements are carefully arranged to denote his ecclesiastical status and the cultural codes associated with religious authority. Yet, the human elements—the slight asymmetry of his features, the glint in his eye—hint at the individual beneath the vestments. Consider how the artist uses line and form to create not just an image, but a complex interplay of symbols and signs. This is not merely a likeness; it is a carefully constructed representation of identity within a specific cultural framework.