Portret van de schilder Daniël Seghers 1616 - 1707

This is an engraving of the painter Daniël Seghers, made by an anonymous artist. Its texture is defined by fine, deliberate lines that build up areas of light and shadow. The composition is divided into distinct zones, each contributing to the portrait's overall sense of balance and meaning. The use of line is critical here, not just in defining form but in creating a semiotic structure. Look at how the dense, cross-hatched lines describe the folds of Seghers’ cloak in contrast to the smooth, open areas of his face. This contrast directs our eye and suggests a reading of Seghers as both a man of substance and an individual thinker. Consider how the artist uses framing—both the architectural elements and the verdant branches—to place Seghers within a context of cultivated nature. What does it mean to frame an artist in this way? Ultimately, this engraving is not just a representation of an individual, but an exploration of the artist's identity.