Portret van Ferdinand, hertog van Brunswijk-Lüneburg 1791

This is Heinrich Sintzenich’s portrait of Ferdinand, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg, an engraving of modest scale. The composition is structured around the oval frame, which contains the Duke's bust, rendered with meticulous detail. Sintzenich's use of line and hatching creates subtle gradations of light and shadow, giving depth and volume to the figure. The portrait’s formal constraints reflect the subject’s status; his gaze is directed confidently outwards, his attire and decorations signalling authority. The portrait is not merely a likeness; it is a structured representation of power and identity. The oval frame, a conventional device in portraiture, serves to isolate and elevate the subject. Ferdinand's position as a military leader is reinforced through visual cues such as his uniform and decorations. The inscription below the portrait further anchors the subject within a specific historical and political context. Ultimately, Sintzenich’s engraving achieves its effect through a carefully calibrated system of visual signs and conventions. The artist’s choices relating to form and structure communicate complex cultural and historical meanings, reflecting the subject’s status and the values of the society in which he lived.