Portret van Franz Sales von Greiner 1749 - 1796

This is "Portret van Franz Sales von Greiner" a monochrome print by Johann Ernst Mansfeld. The portrait's composition is structured around geometric forms. An oval frame contains the bust of Franz Sales von Greiner. Mansfeld uses line and texture to define form, light, and shadow. The evenness of the light flattens the subject, reducing depth. The texture and shading of the face and clothing give volume, yet the engraving technique results in a patterned surface. The oval vignette is placed on a rectangular background that holds the sitter's name and title. The letters are like small units whose even spacing conveys balance and order. Mansfeld's approach challenges the traditional portrait. The emphasis is on line and texture over illusionistic representation. The structure of the artwork invites us to consider how signs and symbols function within a structured system.