Portret van Etienne François de Choiseul 1758 - 1806

This is Pierre Adrien Le Beau's portrait of Etienne François de Choiseul, rendered with engraving on paper. The portrait is encased in an oval frame, which itself is interwoven with foliage and heraldic symbols below, all meticulously detailed. The subject, Choiseul, is depicted in armor, his gaze direct, embodying authority. The formal composition suggests a structured hierarchy, yet it simultaneously destabilizes conventional portraiture with its intricate semiotic layering. The symbols and framing devices aren't mere decoration. Instead, they operate as signs that communicate Choiseul's status and affiliations. Consider how Le Beau has used the stark contrasts of light and shadow to model the forms, creating a sense of depth and presence within the confines of the print medium. This interplay of textures and symbols invites us to deconstruct the codes of representation and power embedded within the image. Ultimately, Le Beau's engraving is not just a likeness but a complex construction of identity, functioning within the cultural and philosophical discourse of its time.