Portret van Karel III, hertog van Lotharingen 1594

This is a miniature portrait of Charles III, Duke of Lorraine, crafted by Lambert Cornelisz, an artist active in the early 17th century. The print presents a study in contrasts using a restricted palette, where the stark line work defines the Duke’s features and attire. Notice how Cornelisz employs hatching and cross-hatching to model form and texture. The meticulous lines create a sense of depth and volume and denote the play of light across the Duke’s face and costume. The tight, oval composition reinforces the formality of the subject, while the encircling text frames him within a context of power and divine right. The formal construction of the portrait, with its emphasis on linear precision and structured composition, reflects an era grappling with notions of identity and representation. The aesthetic choices invite contemplation on the symbolic function of portraiture and its role in constructing and conveying social status.