Portret van de scheepsbouwkundige Jacques-Noël Sané 1821

Julien-Léopold Boilly created this portrait of Jacques-Noël Sané using graphite, with meticulous detail. The most striking formal aspect of this portrait is its remarkable balance and symmetry. The composition is anchored by Sané’s centered gaze, inviting the viewer into direct engagement. Boilly uses subtle gradations of shading to model Sané’s face, giving it a lifelike quality. The texture of his coat is contrasted with the softness of his ruffled cravat. The careful arrangement of the visual elements draws attention to Sané's features. The visual organization of the portrait reflects the Enlightenment's emphasis on order and reason. Boilly’s structured approach mirrors the values of precision and clarity that defined Sané's own profession as a naval architect. The textual elements contribute to this portrait's semiotic system, reinforcing the subject's identity and status. The artwork serves as a visual document of the social and intellectual values of its time.