Portret van Charles de Bourbon, graaf van Soisson 1755 - 1765

This is René Gaillard’s portrait of Charles de Bourbon, Count of Soissons, an engraving of around 1750. The composition is dominated by the oval frame, neatly striated, that encloses the Count, whose gaze meets ours directly. Gaillard uses the formal constraints of engraving—the binary of line and space—to create an image that speaks to the Count's status. The intricate details of his attire, rendered through fine, deliberate lines, suggest not only his wealth but also the cultural codes of nobility. The circular frame, acting as a sign, contains and presents Bourbon as a figure of historical and social importance. The engraving's structure—the careful balance between the subject and the frame, the interplay of light and shadow—serves as a powerful means of representation, encoding societal hierarchies.