French Archaeologist and Numismatist Benjamin Fillon 1862

Charles Meryon created this intricate engraving of French archaeologist and numismatist Benjamin Fillon. At first glance, the portrait’s most striking feature is the density of its linework. Meryon uses a complex network of etched lines to define Fillon’s features and clothing, creating a rich texture that is both visually stimulating and deeply descriptive. The intensity of the gaze, amplified by the stark contrast between light and shadow, draws the viewer into a psychological space. Semiotically, the etching lines form a code, translating three-dimensional form into a two-dimensional plane. This intense mark-making transforms the representation of Fillon into a study of form and structure. The interplay of lines and textures challenges fixed notions of portraiture, transforming it into a meditation on the very act of seeing and interpreting. The engraving prompts us to consider how we construct meaning through visual codes and challenges us to look beyond the surface to decode the deeper structures at play.