Silhouetportret van Ernst Christian Westphal 1785 - 1792

This is Daniel Beyel’s ‘Silhouetportret van Ernst Christian Westphal.’ This print uses stark contrasts and simple forms to convey the essence of its subject. The solid black silhouette against the soft blue-green background immediately draws our attention. The composition is structured around basic geometric shapes – the circle of the frame, the rectangular name plate – which creates a sense of order, yet the floral garland disrupts this rigidity. The silhouette itself, devoid of detail, invites us to consider what it means to represent a person. What is lost, and what is gained by reducing someone to their outline? Beyel's approach reflects a broader interest in the Enlightenment's focus on reason and categorization. Here, the representation shifts away from individual likeness toward a more generalized, almost symbolic portrayal. The silhouette becomes a signifier of identity and a question of how much a simple shape can tell us. This interplay between form and content is a powerful statement about representation itself.