Zelfportret van Ludolf Bakhuysen 1670 - 1724

This is Jacob Gole's portrait of Ludolf Bakhuysen, made using etching and engraving techniques. It's held at the Rijksmuseum. The composition is immediately striking: an oval frame contains the detailed portrait, drawing our focus intensely to the face and upper body of Bakhuysen. Notice the texture achieved through etching and engraving. Gole masterfully uses these techniques to create a range of tones that describe the soft curls of the wig, the fabric of the clothing, and the skin's surface. The formal structure of the portrait, encased in an oval, creates a contained, almost classical space. Yet, the textural richness and detailed rendering of Bakhuysen's features introduce a dynamic tension. The contrast between the structured form and the detailed, almost baroque, texture provides a fascinating play between order and expression. The inscription below the image reinforces this tension, adding layers of meaning to what we see before us.