Portret van Luiz Pedro de Andrade Brederode c. 1807 - 1843

This stipple engraving depicts Luiz Pedro de Andrade Brederode and was created by Domingos José da Silva. The visual field is dominated by a monochromatic palette, save for the stark white of the paper. The composition is essentially a study in contrasts, utilizing light and shadow to give depth to the subject’s figure and clothing. The texture is particularly intriguing; the stippling technique creates a granulated surface, evoking a sense of tangible weight and substance. The subject is framed by the stark background, lending itself to semiotic interpretation, where the sitter embodies power and authority through his attire and medal. This engraving challenges established notions of portraiture through its emphasis on technique and material. The play of light and shadow, the granulated texture, all contribute to a reading that extends beyond mere representation, inviting us to consider the artwork as a complex interplay of signs. It serves not just as an aesthetic exercise but also as a historical and cultural artifact.