Portret van Franciscus Ferdinand Kinsky 1714 - 1740

This is Jan van der Bruggen’s portrait of Franciscus Ferdinand Kinsky. Executed in the late 17th or early 18th century, the print showcases Kinsky in elaborate attire against a subtly shaded backdrop. The composition directs our eyes to the intricate details of his wig and lace collar. The artist's adept use of hatching and cross-hatching not only models form but also adds a tactile quality to the image, drawing us into a visual and perhaps even haptic experience of the aristocratic subject. These formal choices reflect a period deeply interested in representation, yet hinting at the complexities of visual meaning. Consider how the artist plays with light and shadow to convey not just physical presence but also status and authority. Here, the form functions as a cultural signifier, revealing how art engages with contemporary ideas about identity, perception and power.