Portret van Carl August, baron von Soden 1782 - 1818

This is Leonhard Schlemmer's portrait of Carl August, baron von Soden, rendered in delicate lines and tonal gradations. The composition is dominated by a circular frame which tightly encloses the baron, cropping him at the chest to focus attention on his features. The baron's form is carefully modelled with subtle shading to convey volume, with darker tones defining the contours of his uniform. The artist masterfully uses line and light to create a compelling and intimate portrait, while the circular frame establishes a formal boundary. The formal decisions that structure the portrait extend into the inscription which is placed below the portrait. This juxtaposition creates a balanced relationship between image and text. It challenges fixed meanings of portraiture, engaging with representation and identity in a broader context.