Portret van de heer Bungener c. 1853

This is G. Guglielmi-Rubio's portrait of the Mr. Bungener. The lithograph print presents a study in tonal contrasts and controlled line work. The figure emerges from a subtly shaded background, with details meticulously rendered to capture the texture of the sitter's clothing and the contours of his face. Note how the artist uses hatching and cross-hatching to build up the darker values, giving a sense of volume and depth. The precise, almost clinical rendering of the subject's features could be seen as a reflection of the period's interest in scientific observation and classification. The print’s composition—the framing of the figure within a rectangular border—further accentuates the sense of containment and order. The artist's signature functions as a sign of authentication and artistic control. The spattered surface, whether intentional or accidental, destabilizes any notions of fixed meaning. Instead, it presents a field of possibilities, a space for ongoing interpretation.