Portret van Jean-Louis de Nogaret de La Valette 1632

This is Michel Lasne’s print of Jean-Louis de Nogaret de La Valette. The composition is immediately striking. The subject is framed within an oval that is inscribed with text, creating a sense of enclosure, almost like a vignette plucked from a larger narrative. Lasne’s skillful use of hatching and cross-hatching creates tonal depth and texture. The details in the lace collar and the armor highlight a contrast between the softness of fabric and the hardness of metal, drawing attention to the textures and materials depicted. The subject’s gaze is direct, yet his mouth is fixed, his expression reveals a complexity that complicates any easy reading. The oval frame with its inscribed text acts as a signifier, a symbolic boundary that both contains and elevates the sitter. It points to the semiotic interplay between image and text, where each element contributes to a richer understanding.