Portret van Conrad Bachmann op 67-jarige leeftijd 1639

Sebastian Furck's portrait of Conrad Bachmann, rendered in the intricate medium of engraving, captures the subject at 67 years old. The composition immediately draws us to the face, framed by a meticulously detailed ruff. The use of line is masterful here. Note how Furck creates depth and texture, particularly in Bachmann’s beard and the folds of his attire, through varying the density and direction of engraved lines. The oval border, inscribed with text, serves not only to contain the image, but also to situate Bachmann within a matrix of identity and status. The very structure of the portrait speaks to the formal conventions of its time, yet the intensity of Bachmann's gaze, coupled with the stark contrast of light and shadow, lends the piece a remarkable psychological presence. The portrait encapsulates the complex interplay between individual likeness and societal representation.