Onbekende jongen en-profil c. 1780 - 1795

This is a portrait of an unknown boy in profile, made by Samuel Gränicher. With delicate strokes, the artist captures a young boy, framed within an architectural structure adorned with laurel wreaths, creating an intimate and formal study. The boy's profile is rendered with soft, precise lines, emphasizing his youthful features. The use of hatching and cross-hatching creates subtle gradations of light and shadow, adding depth to the composition. The architectural frame around the portrait provides a structured border, contrasting with the organic curves of the boy's face and hair. This juxtaposition highlights the tension between nature and artifice, characteristic of Enlightenment-era portraiture. Gränicher seems to invite us to consider how representation shapes identity and perception, reminding us that artistic interpretation is always at play.