Portret van Philipp Anton Sigmund von Bibra 1790

This is Aegid Verhelst's small engraving of Philipp Anton Sigmund von Bibra, made sometime in the 18th century. The composition strikes a balance between the geometric frame and the organic curves of the portrait within. Notice how the artist uses line and shape to create layers of containment. Sigmund von Bibra is encased in a circle, which sits within a rectangular frame. The frame is itself detailed with geometric patterns and decorative flourishes, adding visual complexity and a sense of formality. This structure directs our attention to the subject’s profile, rendered with delicate shading to capture his features and powdered wig. The Latin inscription below the portrait suggests a reverence for paternal virtues. Verhelst’s engraving operates within a system of signs where geometric forms suggest order and hierarchy, while the portrait aims to capture an individual’s likeness and status. By combining these elements, the artwork engages with broader cultural ideas about representation and identity during the Enlightenment. Such an approach allows us to consider how the visual language of art can reinforce social structures.