Portret van François Levaillant 1801

Konrad Westermayr created this print, “Portrait of François Levaillant,” using etching and possibly other techniques. The image, dominated by an oval frame, presents Levaillant with a gaze that confronts the viewer directly. Notice the detailed use of line and shadow which create texture and depth. The composition places the figure centrally, emphasizing his presence, while the restrained palette focuses our attention on form and character. Consider the semiotics at play: the oval frame, a classical motif, lends a sense of formality, yet Levaillant's somewhat disheveled hair and open collar suggest a tension between social decorum and individual expression. The name inscription mirrors the image, grounding it in a specific identity but also highlighting the constructed nature of representation. Ultimately, the portrait encapsulates a moment in cultural history, inviting us to decode its visual language and to question the boundaries between representation and reality.