Peder Oxe 1703 - 1757

Johann Christoph Sysang created this portrait of Peder Oxe using engraving techniques. The portrait is framed within an oval, its ornate border contrasting with the grid pattern in the background. Oxe, adorned in elaborate garments, exudes authority. Sysang masterfully uses the engraving medium to convey texture and depth. Notice how the varying densities of lines create a rich tonal range, from the deep blacks of Oxe's coat to the subtle grays of his face, all achieved through the strategic arrangement of lines. The contrast between the detailed foreground and the simple background flattens the space, drawing attention to the subject's presence. The portrait's composition reflects a structured representation of power, yet the deliberate flattening of space destabilizes traditional hierarchies of representation. The formal elements work to convey a sense of controlled, yet ambiguous authority, inviting ongoing interpretations of power and identity within the semiotic system of portraiture.