Portret van Jan Pietersz. Zomer 1717 - 1746

This is a portrait of Jan Pietersz. Zomer, made by Nicolaas Verkolje. The portrait is composed within an oval frame, creating a contained, almost intimate space. Zomer is surrounded by books, both closed and opened, which appear to be essential to the composition. The books become a kind of visual language that invites semiotic interpretation. The artist uses the contrast between light and shadow to create a rich texture that animates the subject's face and clothing, capturing a sense of depth. Verkolje plays with various textures from the smoothness of the skin to the coarseness of the paper. This can be viewed through the lens of formalism, as we consider how these visual elements function as signs within a broader cultural context. How do these material and formal choices reflect the subject's identity and the values of his time? These are questions that remain open for interpretation.