Portret van Charles Lennox 1750 - 1765

This is James McArdell’s "Portret van Charles Lennox," an engraving housed here at the Rijksmuseum. The portrait's strength lies in its structured composition and intricate details. The subject, Charles Lennox, commands the space with a pose that exudes authority. McArdell masterfully uses light and shadow to define the textures of Lennox’s garments, from the velvet coat to the elaborate embroidery. The semiotic elements here are palpable. Lennox is adorned with symbols of status and power which are meant to be 'read' by the viewer. The sash, the star, and the very fabric of his clothing all point to his noble identity and the codes of aristocracy. McArdell’s technique, however, transcends mere documentation, inviting a deeper reflection on the construction of identity through visual representation. How much of what we see is Lennox, and how much is a carefully constructed performance? Note how the formal qualities here extend beyond aesthetics. It is not only a likeness but also an elaborate staging of social meaning, captured through the formal language of portraiture.