The Right Reverend Father in God, Dr. Benjamin Hoadly, Lord Bishop of Winchester, Prelate of the Most Noble Order of the Garter, Aet. 67. A.D. 1743 1743

This is Bernard Baron's 1743 engraving of The Right Reverend Father in God, Dr. Benjamin Hoadly. The composition is a study in contrasts, employing line, texture, and form to underscore Hoadly’s status. Note how the precise, controlled lines articulate the textures, from the elaborate wig to the heavy drapes. The subject's garments are meticulously detailed, contrasting sharply with the smoother, more generalized background. This textural dichotomy isn't merely decorative, but serves a semiotic purpose. The textures denote his real, tangible authority, while the softer background implies an almost ethereal domain of power. The engraving flattens the image and highlights the constructed nature of representation itself. The careful articulation of Bishop Hoadly’s vestments and features serves to project an image of established authority and divine sanction. But ultimately, it reminds us that such authority is mediated through symbolic forms.