Portret van Henry Godet des Bordes, auditeur des comptes 1665 - 1666

This is a portrait of Henry Godet des Bordes, auditeur des comptes, made with etching and engraving by Pieter van Schuppen. The portrait presents a play of geometric forms against the organic shape of the subject. An oval frame encloses Henry, who is depicted with careful, precise lines that capture his likeness. The subtle gradations of tone and texture, achieved through hatching, give depth to his face and clothing. This formal rendering is set against the soft, flowing lines of his hair. Below, a heraldic shield offers another layer of semiotic information, hinting at status and lineage. The inscription that circles the portrait acts as a linguistic frame, anchoring the image to its subject and suggesting a closed system of meaning. Consider how the artist uses the contrast between geometric shapes and naturalistic representation to construct an image, where every element—line, shape, and text—functions as a sign in a carefully structured composition.