Portret van Samuel Pitiscus op 70-jarige leeftijd 1707

This is Johannes Klopper’s portrait of Samuel Pitiscus at age 70. Klopper made this engraving, working with lines to build up tone, texture, and form. Notice the visual tension between the detailed rendering of Pitiscus’s face and the more abstract treatment of his attire. The face, with its detailed eyes and subtle shading, contrasts with the repetitive, linear patterns of the robe. This tension invites us to consider the relationship between surface and depth, representation and abstraction. Engravings like this one are grounded in a semiotic system; each line, each mark, is a sign that contributes to the overall meaning. The controlled lines and formal composition speak to the Enlightenment values of order and reason, while also hinting at the complexities beneath the surface. It's not just a likeness, but a construction of identity through carefully chosen visual elements.