Portret van Anton Itter 1692

Elias Nessenthaler created this portrait of Anton Itter, a delicate engraving, sometime around the late 17th century. The subject is framed by an oval, its edges closely bordered by text, which then gives way to a rectangular field containing further inscriptions. The portrait itself, rendered in fine lines, presents Itter with a somber expression. The composition emphasizes a contrast between the curves of the oval frame and the linear precision of the engraving, establishing a dialogue between form and content. The lines are not merely descriptive, but structural elements which evoke a sense of intellectual rigor. Nessenthaler’s strategic use of text as a border introduces semiotic complexity, where words become visual components, influencing how we perceive Itter. This fusion destabilizes the conventional hierarchy between image and text, prompting consideration of how meaning is constructed through their interplay.