Portret van Ferdinand van Toledo, Hertog van Alva before 1601

This is Christoffel van Sichem's striking portrait of Ferdinand van Toledo, made using woodcut techniques. The composition is dominated by the imposing figure of Toledo, whose presence is amplified through meticulously detailed armor. Notice how Sichem uses intricate line work to create a play of light and shadow. The use of line becomes not just representational but deeply expressive, almost sculptural, defining not just the form but also the texture of the armor. The stark contrast between the subject and the blank background challenges fixed notions of portraiture, reducing the subject to their very essence. The portrait does not offer narrative or context. It is an exercise in power, stripped down to line and form.