Portret van Ulrich van Löwendal 1749

This is Johann Georg Wille’s "Portret van Ulrich van Löwendal", made with etching, burin, and paper. The print presents a portrait of Ulrich von Lowendal, a military figure, encased within an elaborate oval frame. The composition is structured around symmetry and classical motifs. The texture is achieved through fine, intricate lines, creating subtle gradations of light and shadow that lend the portrait a palpable sense of depth. The oval frame is decorated with floral ornaments, emphasizing the figure's importance. Below, a cherubic figure places a crown on a coat of arms, further symbolizing status and power. Wille's attention to detail not only captures the physical likeness of Lowendal but also engages with broader philosophical notions of identity and representation of power. In this sense, the print not only memorializes an individual but also examines the semiotic systems through which authority and identity are constructed and communicated. The print serves not just as a record but also as an active participant in the cultural discourse of its time.