Portret van kardinaal Mazarin 1804

This is Augustin de Saint-Aubin's 'Portret van kardinaal Mazarin', an engraving rendered in delicate lines and subtle tonal gradations. The composition centres on a profile bust, isolating Mazarin against an open ground. The formal arrangement encourages a reading of power dynamics; the deliberate cropping focuses attention on Mazarin's physiognomy, his gaze averted yet commanding. The materiality of the engraving, with its fine, precise lines, lends an air of refinement and control, characteristic of its historical period. Consider how Saint-Aubin uses line and form to construct meaning; the precise details, from the curls of Mazarin’s hair to the folds of his robes, convey not just likeness but also status. In this context, the portrait operates as a sign, embodying the complex interplay of identity, representation, and power. It remains a compelling visual statement, prompting us to consider how art mediates our understanding of history.