Portret van Leopold I, keizer van Duitsland 1671

This is Jean Boulanger’s portrait of Leopold I, Emperor of Germany, an engraving on paper now held in the Rijksmuseum. Immediately, the eye is drawn to the meticulously detailed figure of Leopold, framed by an ornate oval border. Above him, an eagle with outstretched wings dominates the composition. The controlled lines and contrasting textures create a formal, almost austere presence. The engraving functions through a structural system of signs. The eagle, the laurel wreath, the armor, and even the fruits at the bottom are not merely decorative; they are coded symbols. These visual components were carefully arranged to communicate Leopold’s power, authority, and divine right to rule. Notice how Boulanger uses the oval frame to contain these symbols, thereby reinforcing a sense of order. This is not just a portrait, it's a carefully constructed visual argument. As such, the act of viewing becomes an act of interpreting, continually challenging fixed notions of representation.