Portret van Georg Kreß von Kressenstein 1595 - 1628

Hans Troschel created this portrait of Georg Kreß von Kressenstein around the early 17th century using engraving techniques. The composition is structured around an oval frame that encapsulates the sitter, his name and some family emblems. Troschel meticulously renders the textures of Kressenstein's clothing and facial features. The tight hatching creates areas of dark shadow that add depth and volume to the figure. Framing the portrait is an oval border with inscriptions, family crests and visual and textual references. The open book symbolizes knowledge and the act of writing which is a testament to Kressenstein's literacy and intellectual pursuits. The arrangement of these elements reflects a semiotic system. Each emblem and inscription serves as a signifier, contributing to a larger narrative of identity, status, and moral virtues. This image destabilizes the traditional portrait by embedding it within a network of symbols, turning the individual into a complex text to be decoded.