Silhouetportret van Johannes Theodorius van der Kemp 1798

Sophia Wilhelmina Evans created this silhouette portrait of Johannes Theodorius van der Kemp in 1796. The stark contrast between the black silhouette and the plain background immediately captures attention. This artistic choice emphasizes form and outline over detail, inviting us to consider how shapes define identity. The profile, rendered in solid black, is not merely a likeness but a study in contours. Evans skillfully uses the silhouette to highlight the subject’s physiognomy. The formal elements—the curve of the nose, the set of the shoulders—become signs. They encourage a semiotic reading where each line and curve signifies aspects of van der Kemp’s character and social standing. The artwork’s engagement with negative space is also critical. By what is left unsaid, or unshown, the artist prompts reflection on representation itself. How does a mere outline stand in for a person? It’s a question that disrupts simple notions of resemblance, suggesting that identity can be both present and absent, defined yet elusive.