Portret van Johannes Maas 1695

This is Jacob Matham’s portrait of Johannes Maas, an engraving rendered with careful detail. The tight composition immediately draws your eye, framing the figure in a diamond shape, itself set against a circular border teeming with inscriptions and heraldic symbols. Matham’s use of line is particularly striking. See how he uses hatching to sculpt Maas’ face and hair, creating volume and texture. The figure is framed by an inscribed decorative border. The lettering and graphic elements work together to create a dense, almost claustrophobic space. The portrait is more than just a likeness, it’s a carefully constructed statement about identity and status. The framing emphasizes the sitter's importance but also confines him within social and religious expectations. This tension between freedom and constraint speaks to the complex interplay of individual identity and social structures in the 17th century.