Portret van Frederik IV van Neurenberg 1625 - 1626

This is Peter Rollos's portrait of Frederick IV of Nuremberg. It is an engraving in which the subject is framed within an oval, creating an immediate sense of enclosure and focus. Notice the stark contrast between the intricate details of Frederick's face and clothing, and the smooth, unbroken surface of the oval frame. This contrast draws our eye to the play of textures. Look at the fur trim of Frederick's hat, the folds of his robe, and the cold steel of his sword which all create a tactile quality that is heightened by the flat, abstract nature of the surrounding frame. The use of Latin text around the portrait acts as a semiotic device, inviting us to decode the layers of meaning embedded within the image. Here, the interplay between text and image challenges fixed interpretations. The formal construction of the portrait engages with historical and intellectual contexts, prompting us to question and reinterpret its significance.