Portret van Karel Lodewijk Johan, landvoogd der zuidelijke Nederlanden 1780 - 1880

This is Theodor Vincenz Poll’s portrait of Karel Lodewijk Johan, a delicate etching, now in the Rijksmuseum. The figure is centered within a precisely drawn circle, itself adorned with repeating motifs. This circumscription creates a sense of containment and formality, typical of the era's portraiture. Poll masterfully uses line and shadow to define the contours of Johan’s face and attire, emphasizing the textures of fabric and the glint of metallic adornments. The inscription below the portrait, rendered in elegant script, adds a layer of semantic meaning, identifying the sitter and grounding the image in a specific historical context. The circular format and detailed execution evoke classical precedents, inviting us to consider how the work engages with broader themes of representation, identity, and power. The print’s formal qualities contribute to its dual function: as a likeness of a notable figure and as a carefully constructed object. The act of observing such a meticulously crafted image transforms it into an exercise in decoding cultural and historical signs.