Portret van schrijfmeester Lieven Willemsz. van Coppenol: grote plaat Possibly 1750 - 1808

This is Pierre François Basan's engraving of Lieven Willemsz. van Coppenol, an undated work now held in the Rijksmuseum. Notice how Basan plays with light and shadow to create depth and texture. The stark contrast between the dark background and the lighter tones of Coppenol's face and paper creates a sense of drama and draws our eye to these central elements. The composition is carefully structured, with Coppenol positioned slightly off-center, holding a blank piece of paper and a quill. This arrangement invites us to consider the act of writing and the potential for communication. The texture of the engraving, achieved through fine lines and hatching, adds a tactile quality to the image. The blank paper acts as a signifier, representing the potential for new ideas and knowledge, inviting us to reflect on the relationship between the subject, the act of writing, and the creation of meaning. It is through these formal choices that Basan's engraving transcends a simple portrait, becoming a meditation on the power of representation.