Portret van de predikant Hermann Reinhold Pauli 1692 - 1713

This is Pieter Schenk's portrait of Hermann Reinhold Pauli, made using engraving techniques in the late 17th or early 18th century. The portrait presents a composition dominated by the sitter’s elaborate wig, which frames his face with meticulously rendered curls. The stark contrast between the dark background and Pauli’s lighter complexion and garments draws the eye directly to his face. Schenk’s expert use of line and shadow creates depth and texture, particularly noticeable in the folds of the sitter's robe. The texture is rendered using hatching and cross-hatching to simulate the fabric's weight and sheen. The portrait employs a formal structure, a visual language of status, communicating the subject's importance and intellectual prowess. The engraver, Schenk, uses the semiotic system of portraiture to convey Pauli's social and intellectual standing. These visual codes reflect the values of that era. Consider how the artistic choices not only capture a likeness but also contribute to constructing a narrative about identity and power.