Jansenius, eveque d'Ypres 1605 - 1650

This is Jean Morin’s portrait of Jansenius, Bishop of Ypres, made with engraving techniques sometime in the mid-17th century. Observe the octagonal frame: it’s not merely decorative but integral to the portrait’s meaning, inscribed with titles that speak to Jansenius’s intellectual and spiritual authority. The frame’s rigid geometry contrasts with the subtle modeling of Jansenius’s face. Morin uses hatching and cross-hatching to define the contours of his subject’s face, capturing a sense of gravitas. The direction of Jansenius's gaze, averted and contemplative, suggests an interiority that aligns with the theological introspection associated with Jansenism. It invites us to consider the relationship between outward appearance and inner conviction, and how this tension is mediated through the formal qualities of the portrait itself. The print challenges us to look beyond the surface and engage with the complex interplay of form, content, and historical context.