Portret van Karl Ferdinand Eckebrecht 1767 - 1830

This is a portrait of Karl Ferdinand Eckebrecht by Leonhard Heinrich Hessell, an engraving. The work's power comes from the contrast of the oval portrait against the rectangular page, which creates a sense of contained observation, like looking through a small window. The composition directs us to Eckebrecht's profile, sharply defined within the soft gradations of the engraving. Hessell's mark-making uses delicate lines and cross-hatching, building up tonal depth to model his subject's features. The circular boundary of the portrait, inscribed with a thin line, focuses our attention on the individual, but the way the figure is cropped also implies that he is part of something much larger. Consider how the formal structure of the portrait—its lines, shapes, and compositional elements—interact with the cultural codes of the time. It invites ongoing contemplation of its subject and artistic intent.