Portret van Cornelis de Gijselaar 1766 - 1833

This is Jan Kobell’s portrait of Cornelis de Gijselaar, an etching produced sometime around the late 18th or early 19th century. The composition presents us with a study in contrasts. Gijselaar's figure is encased within an oval, a shape traditionally associated with containment. Yet, the portrait itself seeks to capture an individual, to break from the general. Kobell masterfully uses line and shading to model Gijselaar's face. The sitter’s gaze is directed slightly off-center. This technique disrupts the direct connection with the viewer, creating a sense of psychological depth. The inscription below serves as a textual anchor, grounding the image in a specific identity and role. However, the very act of portraying him also elevates him beyond his specific identity, opening him up to broader interpretations. Does this challenge or affirm the sitter's status? The beauty of portraiture lies in its capacity to negotiate the space between the individual and the universal. It is for us to ask if it succeeds.