Portret van Michael Haidt 1725

Johann Balthasar Probst created this portrait of Michael Haidt, sometime before 1750, using engraving techniques. The composition is immediately striking with its oval frame, a deliberate choice that encapsulates the subject within defined boundaries, emphasizing the sitter's containment. The texture is built through intricate line work, a hallmark of engraving. The carefully constructed lines give shape to the form of Haidt's face and wig, creating depth and volume. The composition is not merely representational; it’s a carefully arranged structure that imposes order. The formal approach invites us to consider how the artist used geometry, form, and texture to create a portrait that speaks to more than just likeness. The circular frame also includes inscribed text, which may be seen as a semiotic system that offers additional layers of meaning. We are prompted to see how these visual and textual elements function within the broader cultural and philosophical context of the time.