Portret van Gustavus Herdman op 75-jarige leeftijd 1759

This is Christian Fritzsch’s portrait of Gustavus Herdman at 75, an engraving on paper now held at the Rijksmuseum. Notice how the composition is structured around a play of geometric forms. The oval frame, filled with text, contrasts with the rectangular base, creating a visual hierarchy that draws our eye from the inscription upwards to the sitter's face. Fritzsch masterfully uses line and texture to convey Herdman's character and status. The precise hatching defines the contours of his face and beard. It simultaneously models the folds of his garments, giving depth and weight to his figure. The formal arrangement speaks to the values of the time, where reason and order were paramount. The portrait uses semiotic codes to communicate Herdman's identity and social standing. The Latin text and the orderly composition reflect the period's intellectual and cultural climate, framing Herdman within a specific historical narrative.