Portret van de gravin van Saluces 1841 - 1885

This is Joseph Schubert's "Portret van de gravin van Saluces," a print of modest size now residing in the Rijksmuseum. The countess is depicted with soft gradations, her form built up from delicate lines. Note how Schubert uses the texture of the printmaking to convey a sense of depth and volume. The cross-hatching technique, particularly evident in the shading of her face and drapery, creates an almost palpable sense of the fabric’s weight and fall. The lines are not merely descriptive; they actively construct the sitter's presence. Consider the semiotic play here. The countess’s elaborate headwear and ornate belt buckle communicate status, yet the softness of the printmaking lends her a vulnerability. It’s this interplay between the graphic structure and the codes of representation that engages us. This tension invites a deeper reading of the work.