Portret van Philipp Jacob Tucher von Simmelsdorf 1659

Matthias van Sommer engraved this portrait of Philipp Jacob Tucher in 1637 using line etching. The eye is drawn into the figure of Tucher by the tonal contrast of light and dark, the somber black ink of his suit balanced against the bright, reflective paper of his face and ruff. The composition is rigidly formal, a testament to Tucher's status. His figure is framed by a border filled with heraldic symbols, each a signifier of lineage and authority. The landscape in the background is rendered with sharp, precise lines. The texture created by these etching lines mimics the fabrics of Tucher's clothing, adding depth to the image. The meticulous details in the folds of his sleeves and the wisps of his beard give the portrait a tactile quality. This formal precision underscores the cultural values of the time, where surface appearance was a sign of inner virtue and social standing. Even within the strict conventions of 17th-century portraiture, the artist finds ways to convey depth.