Portret van Charles I de Cossé 1755 - 1765

This print of Charles I de Cossé was made by Sébastien Pinssio in the 18th century. Initially, you might notice the oval frame that encloses the portrait, a conventional format, yet the textured background destabilizes the traditional form. Pinssio's use of hatching and stippling creates a rich play of light and shadow, particularly evident in the armor. The subject's gaze meets ours directly, a common representational strategy, yet the level of detail in the face suggests a deeper psychological exploration. Below the portrait, Pinssio includes emblematic objects and text that function almost as a semiotic key to de Cossé's identity, encoding meanings related to his status and achievements. This fusion of portraiture with symbolic elements challenges the idea of a purely representational image, inviting viewers to decode its complex layers of meaning. The artwork is not simply a likeness but a constructed representation.