Portret van Auguste Henriette Wilhelmine Werner 1820 - 1860

This is Ludwig Theodor Zöllner's portrait of Auguste Henriette Wilhelmine Werner, made using an engraving technique. The composition is immediately striking for its balance. The figure is centrally located, creating a sense of stability. Zöllner uses line and form to define Werner's features. Note the contrast between the dark, solid masses of her dress and the delicate, lace details at her collar. The shawl draped across her arm introduces a soft curve that softens the rigid structure. Consider the semiotic implications of this portrait. The symmetry and clear depiction could be interpreted as signs of order and rationality. However, the subtle textures achieved through engraving, destabilize this sense of perfect representation. The portrait engages in a discourse about how we perceive and interpret the world. It shows us how formal structure can be both a tool for representation and a site of deconstruction.