Portret van Ezzelino da Romano 1549 - 1575

Here, we see an engraving, whose author remains unknown, titled "Portret van Ezzelino da Romano." The image presents a portrait of a figure encased in armor, powerfully framed within a circle of floral and fruit motifs. The meticulous lines of the engraving create a tactile sense of the metallic textures of the armor, contrasting with the softness of the subject's beard. The subject grips a formidable halberd, its presence adding to the composition's imposing character. The eagle emblazoned on the armor, crowned and poised, introduces a layer of symbolic complexity, perhaps pointing to imperial authority or personal heraldry. The circular frame does more than just contain the image, it serves as a visual device that focuses the viewer's attention, emphasizing the subject's dominance. Such choices of form and structure suggest how the print challenges conventional portraiture, using geometric and symbolic elements to craft not just a likeness, but a complex statement about power, identity, and representation.