Portret van Françoise d' Aubigny markiezin van Maintenon 1650 - 1656

This engraving of Françoise d'Aubigny, Marquise de Maintenon, was made by Cornelis Danckerts the Elder. The composition, dominated by a formal arrangement of geometric forms, immediately captures our attention. The stark contrast between light and shadow emphasizes the subject's rigid posture and ornate attire. Lines define the intricate details of her dress and the heavy, architectural chair she occupies, creating a visual hierarchy of textures and patterns. The marquise's figure is framed by these angular elements, suggesting a deliberate construction of identity. Note how her gaze meets ours, challenging the viewer to decode the signs of power and virtue meticulously encoded in her representation. This calculated arrangement invites us to question how meaning is created through formal choices and to consider the semiotic system at play in representing nobility. Ultimately, this portrait operates on multiple levels, engaging in a discourse about representation, power, and the social construction of identity.