Portret van Louis Prevost 1636 - 1696

This is Nicolas de Poilly's portrait of Louis Prevost, made as an engraving sometime in the 17th century. The oval composition immediately suggests a controlled, classical aesthetic. Notice how the figure of Prevost is framed, not just by the shape, but by an inscription that encircles him, literally containing him within language and status. Poilly uses line work to create texture and depth, particularly in the elaborate wig, which dominates much of the visual field. The texture is counterposed with the smooth planes of Prevost's face, emphasizing his gaze. The inscription reinforces the sitter’s identity, embedding him within the structures of power and representation of the time. Consider how this portrait, through its formal elements, presents an individual not as a free-standing entity, but as one constituted by social and linguistic frameworks, and the semiotic codes of clothing and adornment. These elements tell us much about the cultural and philosophical understanding of identity during the period.