Portret van Eugene de Vicq 1673 - 1676

This is Alexander Voet the First’s "Portret van Eugene de Vicq,” an engraving measuring 202 by 145 mm. The composition of the print relies on a series of interlocking shapes and lines to convey both realism and symbolic meaning. The oval frame encloses the figure and text that creates a sense of containment, contrasting with the subject's hand extending into our space. Voet’s use of line, particularly in the rendering of the face and clothing, demonstrates a mastery of chiaroscuro, giving depth to the subject. The placement of the coat of arms and laurel branches, and the text around the frame, functions as a semiotic system which would be recognised by Voet's contemporaries as a signifier of the sitter's identity and status. It is a study in contrasts between individual identity and social structure. Consider the function of the engraving itself, a form of reproduction, a symbol of knowledge, and how it circulates ideas. The print invites questions about representation, identity and the structural frameworks within which these concepts are understood.