Borstbeeld van een oude man met bontjas 1625 - 1674

This is a 17th-century etching by Jan Lievens, titled "Bust of an Old Man in a Fur Coat". The composition is immediately striking for its concentration on texture and form. Look closely at the density of lines that articulate the fur, contrasting with the smoother areas defining the face. Lievens masterfully uses hatching and cross-hatching to create depth and volume, especially noticeable in the fur coat's voluminous presence. The formal arrangement draws attention to the semiotic relationship between age and material status. The fur coat not only denotes warmth but also implies a certain level of affluence or social standing, which is juxtaposed against the man's weathered face. The etching's monochrome palette further strips away distraction, focusing us on the interplay of light and shadow, revealing the formal structure of the work. Notice how Lievens uses the formal qualities of etching to explore themes of aging, identity, and representation within the cultural codes of his time. This print invites us to consider how these elements work together to construct meaning beyond mere representation.