Portret van Rembrandt 1760 - 1786

This etching, "Portret van Rembrandt", was created by Ludwig Sommerau around 1780, with a height of 124 mm and a width of 92 mm. Notice how the artist uses dense, closely-knit lines to construct the textures and forms of the image. The varying densities of these lines create areas of light and shadow which model the face and clothing of the sitter. The structural organization of this print is crucial to understanding its semiotic function. The artist makes strategic use of hatching and cross-hatching to represent the textures of the fur hat, skin, and fabric. These lines, beyond their representational role, operate as signs, directing the viewer's gaze and structuring their interpretation of the subject's character. In this way, the artist uses the formal qualities of the etching technique to engage with ideas of representation, identity, and artistic legacy.