Portrait of Sir Edmund Andros (1637-1714) 

This is Mary Beale's portrait of Sir Edmund Andros. The painting's composition is immediately striking, with the figure framed by a dark, enveloping arch. The juxtaposition of light and shadow creates a dramatic effect, highlighting Andros's face and the intricate details of his armor. Beale uses the formal structure of portraiture to play with representation and identity, signified through the trappings of power and status. This challenges the viewer to see beyond the surface. Consider the way the artist deploys semiotics and what the armor signifies beyond literal protection, suggesting themes of power, authority, and perhaps, the burdens they carry. The tension between the formal constraints of portraiture and the subtle cues of character invites us to interpret the image.