Portret van Elisabeth van Oostenrijk, gemalin van Karel IX 1570 - 1574

This is an engraving of Elisabeth of Austria, Queen of France, made by Abraham de Bruyn in the late 16th century. De Bruyn’s technical skill is evident in the detailed textures and patterns he creates solely through line and hatching. The composition is vertically oriented, dominated by the figure of the queen. The image is structured by an interplay of textures, creating a sense of depth and visual interest. Note the contrast between the ornate patterns of her gown and the relatively plain backdrop of the curtain. Semiotically, the objects within the scene function as signifiers of her status, communicating her authority through visual symbols of power. Despite the constraints of the medium, the artwork transcends mere representation, becoming a complex interplay of form and content, a visual essay on the nature of power and representation in the late Renaissance.