Portret van George d'Amboise, aartsbisschop van Rouen 1682

This is Edme de Boulonois's portrait of George d'Amboise, Archbishop of Rouen. Its medium, line engraving, lends itself to a formal analysis. Observe how Boulonois used hatching and cross-hatching to define volume and texture. The density of lines creates darker areas, suggesting the fall of light across d'Amboise's face and robes. The textures—the smoothness of skin against the fabric's intricate folds—emphasize the portrait's realistic rendering. The composition is stark, focusing on d'Amboise's profile, a choice that conveys solemnity and authority. The lines serve to highlight the power structures of the period, positioning d'Amboise within a hierarchy. This engraving also serves as a semiotic marker, using visual cues such as clothing to communicate social status. Note the precision of the line work, how it shapes our understanding and invites ongoing interpretation.