Portret van Hans Caspar Escher 1691 - 1712

This is a portrait of Hans Caspar Escher by Johannes Meyer II, rendered with etching. The most striking formal element here is the contrast between the dark, densely etched areas of the subject’s clothing and the more sparsely etched face. The linear precision of the etching technique allows Meyer to define the textures of fabric and skin, creating a tactile dimension. The oval frame enclosing the portrait and the rectangular cartouche below offer a contrasting geometry that sets off the figure. Encoded in the inscription surrounding the portrait and the text below, Meyer conveys Escher's importance and virtue, indicating how the visual and textual elements are combined. This is a highly structured composition, where each element contributes to a cohesive statement about status, character, and cultural value. This integration suggests that the artwork's meaning is carefully constructed through formal and semiotic means.