Portret van Bartholomäus Pömer 1666

This is Johann Alexander Böner's "Portret van Bartholomäus Pömer," an engraving showcased at the Rijksmuseum. Immediately, one is struck by its formal clarity and meticulous detail, rendered through fine, precise lines. The oval frame tightly encloses the subject, Bartholomäus Pömer, drawing our attention to his composed expression and dignified attire. Böner's use of line not only defines the subject's features and clothing but also creates a sense of depth and texture. The contrast between the dark fur coat and the intricate lace collar highlights the sitter's status. The lines of the engraving also function semiotically. Note how the lines around Pömer's face are softer to convey warmth, juxtaposed to his fur coat which has more heavily engraved lines. The composition, while traditional in its portraiture format, uses the oval frame to subtly destabilize conventional notions of space, suggesting a world both contained and infinite. This piece exemplifies how formal elements converge to reflect broader cultural values of status and representation.