Portret van Clemens Streso 1718 - 1780

Jacob Houbraken created this portrait of Clemens Streso using engraving techniques. The oval composition focuses on the subject's face and upper body, set against a densely inscribed background. The subject's direct gaze and the symmetrical arrangement of his clothing provide a sense of stability. However, this is subtly destabilized by the dynamism of his wig, with its curls creating a lively contrast to his calm expression. The texture, achieved through meticulous hatching and cross-hatching, enlivens the surface. The text surrounding the portrait functions as both a frame and a commentary, embedding the image within a matrix of language. This interplay between visual and textual elements suggests that representation is not merely a matter of likeness but also of interpretation and context. Houbraken uses these formal devices to subtly negotiate the boundaries between portraiture, text, and social meaning.