Portret van Simonides 1566

This is René Boyvin's "Portret van Simonides," made around 1525 using engraving techniques, and housed at the Rijksmuseum. The portrait presents a stark, yet intricate study in monochrome, structured around the profile of the poet Simonides. Notice the stark contrast between the light and dark areas of the portrait. The fine hatching and cross-hatching create texture that is particularly evident in the rendering of Simonides' hair and beard. The lines build form and evoke a sense of depth. The choice of profile view flattens the image and formalizes the subject. The classical frame, bearing the inscription, anchors the image within a tradition of humanism and intellectual pursuit. Boyvin's attention to detail invites us to consider the relationship between representation and reality. Through this lens, the image becomes a meditation on how art captures and conveys not just appearance but also the essence of its subject.