Portret van Don Zenón de Somodevilla y Bengoechea, markies van Ensenada 1797

Manuel Salvador Carmona created this portrait of Don Zenón de Somodevilla y Bengoechea, Marquis of Ensenada, using etching and burin. The composition immediately draws the eye to the Marquis, framed within an oval that subtly contrasts with the rectangular layout of the print. The use of line, particularly in the intricate details of his attire and the architectural elements, presents a rigid structure softened by the play of light and shadow. These visual elements, while appearing straightforward, engage with the semiotic language of portraiture. Consider how the Marquis's posture and the surrounding symbols of power communicate status and authority. The calculated arrangement of these signs, from clothing to setting, creates meaning. The choice of etching and burin allows for meticulous detail, reinforcing the importance of precision. The aesthetic of the artwork does not merely represent a likeness; it actively constructs a narrative of power and identity, inviting us to decode the symbols of class within the visual and cultural context of the time.