Wilhelmus Hennings 1793

This is a portrait of Wilhelmus Hennings by Gerhard Ludvig Lahde, made using engraving. The composition centres around an oval frame which holds the figure of Hennings. The figure is framed by the clean lines of the oval, contrasting with the textures and patterns within. Note the sharp lines used to create the shading on his face. Lahde’s medium of engraving lends itself well to the structured and formal nature of portraiture. Each line is precise, contributing to the overall sense of order and control. This echoes the rationalist thinking prevalent during the Enlightenment. The lines become signs within a structured system, much like language itself. Lahde uses these to construct a representation of Hennings. Consider the formal qualities of line and shape as more than mere aesthetic choices, but as carriers of cultural and philosophical meaning. The structured nature reflects broader intellectual movements of the time, where reason and order were highly valued.